Israeli Officials Warn of Full Lockdown if Coronavirus Infection Rate Doesn’t Slow

Israeli authorities will consider imposing a full lockdown on the country's citizens if the rate of coronavirus infection continues to rise over the next 48 hours, officials familiar with debates in the special Knesset committee dealing with the epidemic told Haaretz on Thursday. The number of patients in serious condition will also be considered in making the decision.

National Security Advisor Meir Ben Shabbat has issued instructions to complete preparations for the lockdown, so it can be enacted at a moment's notice.

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– Haaretz Weekly Ep. 71: A tale of two crises: Coronavirus vs. Constitution

Haaretz Weekly Ep. 71: A tale of two crises: Coronavirus vs. Constitution

The rate at which the number of new patients increase over the next two days will show whether the policy of gradually restricting Israelis' movements since the holiday of Purim in early March had the desired effect – or whether regulations should be made even stricter, the officials said. 

In a coronavirus televised update on Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that “unless we see an immediate improvement there will be no escape from a full lockdown.”