Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has delayed plans to impose overnight curfews in 40 cities and towns hit hard by the coronavirus by 24 hours in order to “consult” with the communities.
In a news conference Monday, Netanyahu said the curfews will now go into effect on Tuesday night at 7 pm and last until 5 am.
The government has been forced to take action after failing to contain an outbreak that has claimed more than 1,000 lives and remains at record levels of new infections.
Netanyahu announced the curfew plan on Sunday but decided against full lockdowns after an uproar by politically powerful religious leaders. Many of the hardest-hit communities are home to ultra-Orthodox populations.
The outbreak has raised fears of a nationwide lockdown during the upcoming Jewish New Year.
