Knesset Director General Albert Sakharovitz held a situation assessment today (Thursday) regarding restrictions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and their implications for Knesset activity.
With the conclusion of the elections for the 23rd Knesset, it will return to activity in the middle of the month.
The swearing-in ceremony for Knesset members will be held on March 16th.
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At the beginning of the meeting, the Knesset Director-General said: "The goal is clear and is to take all possible steps and means to reduce the threat of harm to the core parliamentary activity of the Knesset. Therefore, the room for maneuver is simple: anything related to the core parliamentary process - more so, and anything that endangers the process and does not constitute an essential element for its success - will be prohibited.".
Sakharovitz added: "The Knesset has established a professional team on its behalf, headed by the Knesset officer, Chief Joseph Greif, who is in constant contact with the professional elements in the Ministry of Health and acts on their advice." According to him, "the professional elements in the Knesset will continue to meet from time to time, and as we become convinced that an even stricter approach should be taken, we will not hesitate to do so.".
During today's discussion, it was decided that the inauguration event of the members of the 23rd Knesset will be held for the first time without an audience in the stands.
With the exception of the spouses of those defined as symbols of the government, invitations were canceled for senior staff, diplomatic staff, former Knesset members, and the general public.
Entry of parliamentary advisors and ministerial advisors to the Mishkan on this day will be reduced to the required minimum. With the exception of MKs, entry to the Knesset plenum will be permitted - only to those with invitations.
The festive reception for Knesset members and their families, which was planned at the Kedma complex, was also canceled.
The format of the traditional toast in the Chagall Hall has been changed. The gathering of hundreds of people who were supposed to be present at the event - which usually closes the events of the festive day - has been canceled; the speeches and poetry segments have been canceled. The party leaders will be invited to the traditional joint photo.
Starting this Sunday, all tours and visits by external parties to the Knesset will be canceled, including schools, tourists, organized groups, and more.
Any non-regular visitor will be required to sign a declaration of entry to the Mishkan, which will be approved by the Knesset officer. In this declaration, the visitor will pledge that he has not visited abroad in the past two weeks.
It was also decided that gatherings, events, and lobby meetings would not be permitted, and the toasting event for Knesset employees on the occasion of Passover was canceled.
It was decided to allow entry to all parties who are invited to committees as part of their parliamentary activities. The activities of the Visitors' Center, including the activities of Knesset guides outside the building, will continue as usual.
Dedicated disinfection stations will be placed in central locations in the Knesset and at its entrance. All of the guidelines issued by the Civil Service Commission for its employees have also been adopted for Knesset employees.
