Israel to Ease Virus Restrictions on Businesses to Lift Economy

(Bloomberg) --

Israel will allow more businesses shuttered by coronavirus restrictions to resume operating from midnight Saturday as it seeks to gradually restore the economy to a “cautious routine.”

Restaurants will be permitted to sell take-away food, and stores -- with the exception of indoor malls -- can open again, the cabinet decided on Friday. Barbers and beauty parlors will also be allowed to open. Businesses must ensure that customers remain at least 2 meters from each other.

At the same time, existing rules that require people to wear masks in public areas are to remain in force, and fines, instead of the current warnings, will be handed out for first offenses. Stores that allow customers to enter without wearing masks will be subject to fines of 2,000 shekels ($568).

The new regulations are to remain in place until May 3, when further easing will be considered if there’s a continued decrease in coronavirus morbidity. Israel has confirmed 14,882 cases of Covid-19 and 193 deaths.

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