The spread of the Corona virus in Israel: Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz announced today (Wednesday) in a media briefing that rapid coronavirus testing stations will be set up next week and that it will be possible to purchase self-testing kits.
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""The move to rapid tests will allow us to start the school year as usual," the minister said. "We are working on ensuring that the testing system for school children will be at the state's expense. Rapid testing stations will be deployed as early as next week, and it will be possible to purchase self-tests at pharmacies.".
The minister said at the beginning of his remarks: "Like all over the world, in Israel we are also dealing with a significant increase in morbidity due to the Delta strain. It is a more contagious and dangerous strain. We are expected to see an increase in infection figures in the coming weeks, and unfortunately also in the number of seriously ill patients.".
The minister, who took office with less than 10 patients a day, appeared on a day when almost 1,500 patients had already been identified - and attacked the previous government: "Unlike our predecessors, one and only consideration leads us in managing the crisis - public health. We act with discretion. With us, no foreign consideration, political or personal considerations, enter into this crisis. That's it. It's over.".
""With us," he said, "there are no concessions on the economy without a real dialogue with the field. Our strategy is living alongside the Corona. The policy I lead looks forward. All the recommendations and steps we take are aimed at this. Steps that we can live with over the long term.".
However, he noted, "So that we are not dragged into severe restrictions, there are several principles that must be adhered to: Vaccinations - It is true that the Delta strain is more resistant to the vaccine, but it is effective against infection and preventing serious illness. I urge everyone who has not yet been vaccinated from the age of 12 and up to go out and do so. Most of the seriously ill and younger age groups have reached this situation because they are not vaccinated.".
Regarding the quarantines, he said: "We are increasing enforcement. There will be no policeman at the door of anyone who needs to be quarantined. Personal responsibility here is double and doubled. Anyone who is required to be quarantined stays home. Period. Today, the 'happy note' also goes into effect. Anyone who comes to a wedding party or similar event is required to present a vaccination certificate, a recovery certificate, or a negative coronavirus test.".
He emphasized: "Those who disregard and do not wear a mask in a closed place, those who, God forbid, violate isolation, do not harm the Ministry of Health or the government - but rather the lives of those around them and the livelihoods of their neighbors or the routine of life in Israel. We are adhering to the guidelines now - to prevent severe restrictions later. We understand that the coronavirus will not disappear from the world soon. After the Delta, another variant may emerge - and therefore our strategy is clear: living alongside the coronavirus.""
Regarding the loophole at Ben Gurion Airport, when many of those returning to Israel from 'red' countries return via a connection in a green country - the minister once again chose to shift responsibility to the previous government, which had success in containing the virus: "In the previous government, there was no enforcement. A person could buy a ticket to Russia and fly without any inspection or supervision, and without being told you can't travel. Today, citizens cannot travel to prohibited countries. Regarding people who come from a green country but came from a red country - the Ministry of Public Security has begun enforcing this matter. We are aware of this matter and we will close this loophole as well. If someone tries to outsmart us and work on us, they are only working on themselves.".
The minister added: "It is true that most of the infection is within the country, but the incidence from abroad is very significant. Every person who enters is tested, and in recent days we have discovered 100-150 new confirmed cases per day. These are people who were supposed to arrive from the destination country with a negative test, and we have come across them here. There were people who arrived and had a negative test, but after a few days the test was positive. We have no intention of closing Ben Gurion Airport. It is important that flights continue, but with caution.".
Benjamin Netanyahu said today: "The current government took over the country from us in the best condition in the world. The first country in the world to emerge from the coronavirus. Within weeks, the government managed to bring the coronavirus back to Israel. They are unable to make decisions and are unable to maintain the success we brought.".
