The Corona Commissioner, Professor Nachman Ash, addressed the battle to open the education system this evening (Thursday), telling Channel 13: "If there is no increase in morbidity, everything will open in a month.".
He said that the Ministry of Health is delaying the opening of the education system as a precaution against cases of infection in children, since they are not vaccinated.
""We want to see that the return to school does not cause excess morbidity. It's only a matter of a few weeks, if the trend of morbidity continues like this," explained Professor Ash. "We want to stay away from Passover and see that there is no infection in the school itself.".
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The project manager added: "Currently, there is no need to update the vaccine. We are monitoring infections among vaccinated people to see that the vaccine is effective - we hope we can stop any mutation that would jeopardize the vaccination campaign.".
The Director General of the Ministry of Health, Prof. Hezi Levy, said in a briefing he held this evening: "We are also opening fourth grades without capsules, like third grades. After we see the behavior in third-fourth grades for a few days, the capsules in fifth-sixth grades will also be canceled.".
""As for grades 7-10, students will be allowed to move between more capsules – there were up to 2, now 4 are allowed. In classes where we can run rapid tests, they will study without capsules.".
Kan News reported that on the Sunday after Independence Day, classes in grades 5 and 6 will return to a full format without capsules.
The relief will take place assuming that the morbidity figures remain as low as they are today.
The government has confirmed: These are the additional reliefs that have come into effect
In a joint statement from the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Transportation, the new relaxations on gatherings in public spaces that were approved by the government were announced:
1. The limit on gatherings in open areas will be increased to 100 people (in closed areas, the limit of up to 20 people remains).
Temporary order for Memorial Day regarding the participation of bereaved families in Memorial Day ceremonies - members of a bereaved family will be allowed to enter the ceremonies even without a green badge.
2. Increasing the capacity of huge stadiums in open spaces from 5,000 to 10,000; in closed spaces – increasing the capacity to 40% and up to a maximum of 4,000.
3. Increasing the capacity for events that are not seated and/or with food in an open area from 500 to 750.
4. It will be possible to hold a multi-participant popular sports event with up to 1,000 participants.
5. Increasing occupancy in small museums (up to 3000 square meters) per person for every 7 square meters.
6. Allowing the serving of drinks at cultural events in a seated setting without food.
Aviation and transportation:
1. The maximum occupancy on the bus transporting passengers between the passenger terminal and the aircraft, which currently stands at 50% of the maximum occupancy, will be similar to the rule that applies to any other means of transportation: up to 75% of the maximum occupancy.
2. A separate discussion will be held until April 17, 21, regarding the conclusions of the work of the headquarters coordinated by the Director General of the Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety regarding examining ways to increase the transit capacity of passengers entering or leaving Israel.
The regulations are valid until Thursday, April 22, 21.
The government also approved this evening the Ministry of Health's proposal for relief in the education system that will be in effect until Tuesday as follows:
1. Removing the restriction on holding exams in higher education institutions, so that all exams can be held face-to-face (and not just 10% of them as was the case until now).
2. Adding the option to conduct outdoor studies at a formal educational institution for the gifted.
3. As part of studies at educational or training institutions, which are held in a green-labeled format, social activities and ceremonies can also be held.
4. Lowering the rate of vaccinated and recovered students required for full learning in grades 11 and 12, so that instead of 90%, it will be 65%.
5. Abolishing the capsules in fourth grade so that they can study in full classes.
6. Providing the possibility of mixing capsules in schools as part of physical education classes and practical studies in the open field, as well as in the activities of school sports teams and clubs.
7. A change in the "Magen Chinuch" program, which has so far taken place in institutions in areas classified as "orange" according to the traffic light program, so that it will take place in grades 7-10 throughout the country in educational institutions that are interested in it, and will allow learning without capsule restrictions for these levels in institutions that will participate in the program.
8. Grades 7-10 will be able to move between up to 4 regular groups (not just 2).
9. Possibility of swimming lessons as part of school studies, also in indoor pools, provided that the pool is used only by students and not by the general public (during the same hours).
10. Easing the occupancy limit for studies at an educational or vocational training institution, so that the limit will be similar to the limit that exists for seated cultural activities that do not include eating (up to 1,000 or 3,000 people in large halls, depending on maximum occupancy).
11. Removing the restriction on mixing groups of grades 1-3 in after-school care, so that the general provision will apply to them, according to which a maximum of 3 permanent groups can be mixed, and up to 28 children.
12. Extension of the temporary order regarding summer camp activities to allow for Easter holiday summer camps.
13. Cancellation of health claims.
14. Changing the definition of the Lekiyya settlement, which is no longer classified as "red," in a way that will allow for a return to school there.
