Most of Israel’s schools and universities will close due to the spread of coronavirus, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced yesterday.
Netanyahu also called to form an emergency national unity government for a limited time, saying “We will deal with the current crisis together and continue later” with the business of politics.
The number of Israelis infected with the virus rose to 109, among them a six-month-old.
Netanyahu did not specify how long the school closures will last. Special education schools and kindergartens will remain open, however, and children in first to third grades also will be able to attend special day cares.
As Netanyahu began his news conference, the ban on non-Israeli nationals entering the country without being able to prove they have a place to self-quarantine for 14 days officially took effect.
Also yesterday, Israel’s chief rabbis called on Jews to avoid visiting the Western Wall and holding large prayer services there. The site will not be closed, however.
The rabbis also called on couples not to postpone their weddings but to hold them with a smaller guest list.
