Coronavirus cabinet to meet for first talks on stage two exit strategy

The coronavirus cabinet is expected to convene Tuesday at around 5 p.m. to begin what should be an open-ended discussion about the next stage of Israel’s exit strategy.

A source in the cabinet told The Jerusalem Post’s sister paper, Maariv, that “the second stage is not close. We are not there yet.”

On Tuesday morning, the Health Ministry reported 1,479 new cases from the day before; about 3.5% of those screened tested positive.

There were 636 people in serious condition, including 233 who were intubated. 

The Health Ministry has suggested moving to the next stage of the exit strategy when Israel has around 1,000 new cases per day. The next stage is a small step from the first, and is expected to include the following reliefs: grades one through four to open in capsules; hairdressers, salons and beauty parlors to resume activity; and alternative medicine and related services to operate.

The Finance and Education ministries have expressed concern over these plans. The Finance Ministry wants street shops and small businesses to be part of stage two. The Education Ministry said it needs more funds and at least a month to properly prepare for a capsule system.

The ministers are also expected to discuss plans for allowing yeshiva students to stay in school and to dialogue about the continued handling of red zones. Late Monday night, the government approved opening the lockdown on the town of Rehasim, which is now an orange zone.

The Home Front Command said it would screen students at around 40 yeshivot on Tuesday evening.

Moreover, the cabinet will also likely address the issue of reopening synagogues, which have been closed for more than a month, except for on Yom Kippur. The Health Ministry has synagogues opening only in stage three, when there are around 500 new cases per day.