Jerusalem is now divided into “restricted” and not-restricted zones, which will be in effect until Wednesday, after a special ministerial committee on coronavirus approved the move overnight. Haredi MKs and leaders responded in protest. MK Moshe Gafni called the move “uncanny” and said it was “on the verge of a scandal.”
“The public’s trust is paramount in this fight, and this trust is unfortunately eroded every day,” he said. At the same time, the liberal-leaning Hitorerut movement pushed back in opposition with a statement of too-little, too late.
“Unfortunately, we have already lost a week-and-a-half in the fight against coronavirus only because Mayor Moshe Lion is engaged in politics instead of public health,” the Hitorerut party said. It further stated that the mayor’s announcement was published in such a way that most residents who are asked to enter the isolation are not even aware of it. “There is great uncertainty and confusion,” the statement continued. The people in these restricted areas cannot leave unless they are going to work, getting essential medical treatment, attending the funeral of a nuclear family member or transferring their children to an ex-spouse. In addition, they can attend legal proceedings or access other essential services with approval.
There are four districts specified by the committee, which include mostly haredi (ultra-Orthodox) communities. Among the areas that will now be restricted: Har Nof, Ramot, Romema, Neve Yaakov, Mea Shearim and Geula. The move comes after days of deliberation and protest against such a decision by Lion. Health Minister Ya’acov Litzman called on Sunday for establishing new criteria for evaluating which cities, regions and neighborhoods in Israel should be restricted that are not based on sector. Litzman made the recommendation at a follow up meeting of the ministerial committee. He is the head of United Torah Judaism, a haredi party. The criteria he recommended are places that 50 or more coronavirus cases, a higher percentage per 100,000 people than the average nationally and that the number of cases is rising over the last three days.
The only other Israeli city that has been designated a restricted zone is haredi Bnei Brak, which has more coronavirus per capita than any other Israeli city. However, the Health Ministry reported on Sunday that the percentage of coronavirus patients in the city has gone down. Jerusalem has the most cases but five times as many people.
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