The Knesset coronavirus committee on Monday voted to keep pools and beach open even on the weekends, but pushed off making a decision about gyms. Later in the evening, it is expected that the government will vote on new standards for restaurants, too.The vote by the committee came after coalition chairman Mickey Zohar told members that the government, too, had changed its policy and pools and restaurants would not be closed just yet. Schools and camps will remain open at least until Thursday, too, the government said.The coronavirus committee gathered in the Knesset for another discussion about the restrictions that the government announced last week. On Sunday, a heated debate erupted over beaches and pools, which are outdoors in open spaces and where the rates of coronavirus infection are lower.“The decision not to close public pools and beaches is right and justified,” said MK Yifat Shasha-Biton, who heads the coronavirus committee. “The beaches and swimming pools are vital.”On Twitter, opposition leader Yair Lapid also celebrated the decision: “Congratulations to the chairman of the committee, MK Yifat Shasha-Biton, and to the members of the coronavirus committee, who fought for the State of Israel. Zohar also said that it is likely restaurants that operate in open spaces and can adhere to the Health Ministry’s “Purple Ribbon” standard should also be able to continue operating. According to Zohar, around 80% of restaurants have open spaces they can use. This is the directive that the government is supposed to vote on in the evening. The committee wanted to see restaurants operate indoor and outdoor seating, but to limit indoor seating to 35% capacity.The government’s change of direction came on a day when the numbers reflected a positive shift downwards: Only 951 people were diagnosed with the novel coronavirus on Sunday, the Health Ministry reported Monday. Some 19,337 people were screened, dropping the infection rate to 5% from 7% the day before.Some 259 people are in serious condition. So far, 415 people have died.Deputy Health Minister Yoav Kisch commented on the data at the meeting: “Yesterday was a day with a little better data. I do not know if there is a change in trend. You have to wait two or three days to see that.” He urged the committee not to get too excited.At the same time, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Education Minister Yoav Gallant, Defense Minister Benny Gantz and other top officials. They decided that camps and schools would also not close at the current time.Another discussion will take place on Thursday to re-evaluate the situation, the Prime Minister’s Office said. Kisch also commented on the Health Ministry’s new direction, which will likely be that closed spaces – halls, gyms – will stay closed, while open spaces in which gathering can be limited or spread out could be opened.The committee did not yet make recommendations on gyms, so they will remain closed. The committee said it will vote on Wednesday. At the same time, A document published by the Civil Aviation Authority announced that entry of foreigners into the country would be banned until at least September.According to the document, anyone arriving at the country’s international airport will be turned away without a special permit.The Airports Authority clarified soon after the document was shared by the media that, “The skies are not not closed and Ben-Gurion Airport is open. However, until September 1, foreign passport holders will not be allowed in and the 14-day isolation agreement remains as it has been in recent months.”“We all are working together to fight the virus,” Shasha-Biton added. “For all of us, economic, mental and physical health are extremely important.”But Zohar pushed back that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are bothered by the committee because “the decisions made here could endanger the greater public… We have nothing personal against the committee chairwoman. We are seeing an increasing number of people infected each day and we understand that when we reach 1,000 critically ill patients, we may not be able to save some lives.”
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