Israeli police have arrested over 300 ultra-orthodox Jews for violating the Health Ministry measures banning large gatherings during the spread of the COVID-19 disease.
Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews broke into a compound at Mount Meron for Lag B’Omer, defying police orders limiting entry to the site due to coronavirus fears and prompting clashes with security forces.
The police said thousands violated the instructions. However, the detainees are limited to those who attacked the police and refused to disperse when ordered.
The Health Ministry announced there was a decline in coronavirus cases, but warned that if people did not comply with the measures, the virus will re-emerge with greater numbers of infections.
Earlier, the Ministry reported that coronavirus deaths rose to 262, with 4,104 infected persons, saying at least 12,173 have recovered.
Data showed that confirmed cases rose to 16,539, with 51 requiring respiratory assistance and only four new cases recorded.
Meanwhile, sources noted that Ministry of Finance officials are studying whether to re-open Israeli economic facilities as of June 1.
They also pointed that authorities are discussing the full reopening of Ben Gurion airport by June 1 as coronavirus cases across the country continue to decline.
A meeting was held between Health Ministry officials, the Airport Authority and other ministries to determine the outline for opening the airport.
Initially, passengers from countries of low rates of virus cases and have laws requiring mask-wearing, or green countries, will be allowed into the airport.
In addition, anyone who is not flying will not be able to enter the airport, and passengers will be required to arrive four hours ahead of their scheduled flight. At the entrance to the terminal, passengers’ temperature will be checked, and each one of them will be required to wear a mask.
Arriving passengers will be exempted from entering a quarantine for a period of 14 days, but they will be required to fill out a health form and follow health instructions. They will also be required to have medical examination, wear face masks, and maintain a two-meter physical distance.
