Some 25,000 couples registered to be married in the coming weeks, as the government approved a decision to open wedding halls on June 14 for events of up to 250 people despite the increase of people infected with coronavirus.
“Even at these joyous events, adhere to the Health Ministry guidelines: wearing masks, hygiene and two-meters distance,” Health Minister Yuli Edelstein said as the government announced its decision. “Shabbat shalom and lots of joy.” Some 266 new coronavirus cases were confirmed in Israel during the 24-hour period between Friday and Saturday, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 18,876 – 3,257 of which are currently active patients. Some 33 patients are classified as being in serious condition, 25 of whom are intubated. The number of people who have died as a result of the coronavirus remains 300, as no new deaths were recorded.
Two employees of the Holon municipality, who were work in different departments, tested positive for corona on Friday. An epidemiological investigation is being conducted by Health Ministry and city management will inform employees if they need to enter isolation. The government approved the opening of the halls for only weddings or religious events, such as bar and bat mitzvah ceremonies, beginning on Sunday. The number of people at the event cannot exceed 250 and the space must be large enough for all guests to have their own two-square meters.
Hall operators are required to record the names and numbers of all guests and keep it for 20 days after an event.
Any non-wedding or non-religious ceremony is still required to adhere to previous guidelines of up to 50 people gathering at a time. Breaking the rules is considered a criminal offence.
Moreover, the government extended all other emergency regulations through June 21 – three months from when they were originally implemented.
On Thursday night, Bedouin towns in the South and areas of southern Tel Aviv where many foreign workers live were placed under lockdown and designated “red zones” by the coronavirus cabinet.
Although no other changes to the current guidelines were made, the cabinet is expected to reconvene next week.
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