Earlier this year, Israel had a strong projection on curbing the Covid-19 novel in the country. However, the delays in administering its citizens with the Pfizer vaccine have stalled due to the increased infections. This is in conversant with the health ministry`s prediction on the coronavirus situation in the country. As a result, on Sunday, the national lockdown was extended to help fight the surging infections. This was prompted by the death of two prominent rabbis in Jerusalem. Thousands of ultra-orthodox Jews were present during the funeral. There is no doubt that Israel is facing challenges in implementing the anti-covid restrictions to enhance safety and prevent further infections.
Efforts to revive Israel economy by February
Israel Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a recovery plan for the country to steer it to reopen the economy by February. As a result, a vaccination campaign for the most vulnerable affected covid-19 patients took root. This is around 24 percent of the 9 million Israel citizens. With the lockdown in place and the vaccination exercise already in place, Netanyahu`s confidence in reviving the economy by February was solid.
Coronavirus surge averts Israel exit plan
As of mid-January 2021, the coronavirus infections took a different turn. New infections with fatal symptoms have transpired among the not yet vaccinated persons. In fact, most officials believe that the new infections arise from the new foreign virus strains. Further blame is directed to the ignorance of pandemic restrictions to curb the spread of the virus.
The political state of Israel amid the Pandemic
The surging pandemic infections have triggered a series of critics from Netanyahu`s coalition partners. Nonetheless, Netanyahu and his cabinet vote to extend the lockdown following the increased infections. The move proposes a five-week national lockdown in Israel. The motion is still awaiting approval from the parliament. Earlier on, the parliament voted to charge a double fine to any violator of the lockdown regulations. That is 10,000 shekels. This is roughly 3,051 dollars because I shekel= 3.2771 dollars.
March 23rd elections also put Netanyahu`s supporters at crossroads seeing that his rivals are using the pandemic to build up the opposition. This is in light of the ultra-orthodox jews violating the pandemic restrictions. His election competitor, the Minister of defense, and coalition partner, Benny Gantz, shared his Twitter comments. Benny suggests that it is either the country goes on a lockdown or no lockdown. Nonetheless, Netanyahu calls for unity and advises on giving a stop on concentrating on violations from only one group.
The covid-19 vaccination campaign in Israel
According to Israel`s Health ministry, 35% of the infections are from the ultra-orthodox group. The group accounts for 15% of the total population in Israel. Israel hopes to vaccinate 5.5 million people. On Saturday, a total of 1.7 million people received the second dose of the vaccine. 1.3 million people have already received the first dosage of the vaccine and awaiting the second shot. Deputy health Minister Yoav Kisch affirms that change will be evident once the vaccination hits the 3-3.5 million mark. He further affirms that a higher vaccination threshold is bound to actualize the exit plan following the delay.
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