COVID-19 Outbreak Guidance

Overcrowding Prevention

• Organized gatherings of over 50 people, either in open or confined spaces, are forbidden, except for religious events (see under "businesses, shops, services and religious institutions"

For further information on guidelines for holding events for 50 participants in open spaces (Hebrew)

Wearing Masks

• You must wear a face mask every time you go outside
• It is recommended that you have a home-made cloth mask or a specific mask. You should wear it in such a way as to cover your mouth and nose.
• You should wash your hands after touching the mask.
• The following are exempt from the requirement to wear masks:
• Children younger than 7 years old
• People with a mental, cognitive or medical impairment that make it significantly difficult for them to wear masks
• People occupying a vehicle, a building or a room either alone or with members of their households
• People participating in broadcast communications and required to speak provided that they keep a distance of 2 meters at least from another person, if possible
• Two workers regularly sharing a room in their workplace, provided that they keep the necessary distance

Guidance on wearing face masks

Keeping Distance

• Stay 2 meters from other people
• Avoid physical contact, such as hugs and handshakes

Practicing Hygiene

Be sure to practice hygiene and to sanitize:

• Avoid touching your faces in as much as possible
• Wash your hands often
• Avoid opening doors with the palm of your hand (you may use tissue paper). Sanitize doors and door handles.

If Sick:

• If you have a fever or any respiratory symptoms, avoid going outdoors under any circumstances (including public transportation and public open spaces like the beach or the park)

Parks and National Gardens

• It is forbidden to use recreational facilities in public parks or any other public spaces
• It is possible to use recreational facilities in public parks and gardens, provided that social distancing and crowd prevention measures are in kept  

Using Elevators

• Up to 2 people may use the elevator at the same time while keeping a distance from other people
• In buildings over 5 stories high, the elevator may be used up to half its permitted maximum capacity, unless the people that share an elevator are members of the same household.  

Businesses Permitted to Operate

All businesses, stores and services are permitted to operate (except for those listed as "Businesses Not Permitted to Operate"), provided that they comply with the "Purple Badge" requirements and the guidelines relevant to each sector. 

For further information on the "Purple Badge" (Hebrew)

Restrictions on the Number of Patrons in the Business

The number of people found in publicly-open places (namely: stores, malls, markets and businesses for non-medical care) will be restricted in such a way that at any given time there will be no more than 50 people in the publicly-open place, except for the parking lot, provided that the surface area of this place allows to maintain a distance of 2 meters from person to person. Alternately, at any given time there will be no more than one person per 7 square meters in the publicly-open place, except for the parking lot.

In businesses where there are service desks, a divider will be erected to prevent respiratory droplets. 

Restaurants, Bars and Clubs

Restrictions:

• Up to 100 patrons – Capacity can stand at 100%
• Above 100 patrons – Capacity can stand at up to 85%
• Table serving only
• Distance of 1.5 meters between tables
• Inasmuch as possible, booking tables in advance
• Taking the temperature of incoming patrons
• Disposable menus
• Abiding by the "Purple Badge" general guidelines (appointing a coronavirus supervisor, disinfecting, cleaning, etc.)
• Sit-down dining in mall-based food courts is still restricted 
• For further information on operating food establishments (Hebrew)

Swimming Pools

Restrictions:

• 6 square meters per bather in the water
• 7 square meters per guests outside the pool
• Wet saunas and hot tubs are forbidden. Dry saunas are permitted.
• The number of bathers in the locker rooms area shall be up to twice the number of available locker rooms
• For further information on operating swimming pools (Hebrew)

Hotels (Including Restaurants and Swimming Pools)

Restrictions:

• Subject to the restrictions on restaurants and swimming pools above

Tourist Attractions

Restrictions:

• 7 square meters per guest in the complex
• 2 square meters per person (excluding members of the same household) in the facility 
• Excluding jamborees and water park rides
• Sanitizing the facilities after use
• For further information on operating attractions (Hebrew) 

Cultural Events

Cultural events with an audience may be held.

“Cultural events” include film screenings, theater shows, dance shows, concerts, music performances and literary events they do not include events involving audience dancing, conferences, exhibitions, fairs and lectures.

These events may be held in cinemas, theaters, culture institutions and places intended for shows.

Restrictions:

• The number of persons at the venue may not exceed 75% of the venue’s capacity and, in any case, will not exceed 250
• With authorization from the Culture and Sport Director, events may be held with an occupancy of no more than 75% of the venue’s capacity and, in any case, not more than 500 persons
• Appointment of a “Corona Supervisor”
• Using ushers to help direct people to their seats and prevent crowding
• Sitting in signed seats
• Tickets must be purchased in advance and online only
• Maintaining distance, measuring temperature at the entrance and wearing masks
• Signage and disinfection of the venue
• Sitting arrangements must allow for at least one empty sit on both sides of each person or group of persons who purchased their tickets together
• Additional information regarding cultural events with an audience (Hebrew)

Museums

Restriction:

• 7 square meters per visitor, excluding facilities or exhibits meant to be touched and intended for children 

Gyms and Studios

It is possible to operate gyms or studios for sporting or dancing activities

Restrictions:

• Regulating the flow of incoming patrons and keeping a log of incoming patrons and personnel
• Cleaning the workout machines between patrons and disinfecting surfaces and equipment
• Patrons must use individual towels and water bottles
• Use of saunas and hot tubs is not permitted
• Work in accordance with Work Procedures (Hebrew)

Event Venues and Gardens

Weddings and other religious rites, such as bar mitzva or bat mitzva and occasions commemorating the birth of a daughter or son may be held in event venues and gardens.

Restrictions:

• Brit Mila: Up to 50 participants
• Funerals: Up to 50 participants
• Weddings:
  • Until July 09 2020:
    • Up to 250 participants. The public and hall owners are requested to adhere to guidance as much as possible in open spaces.
  • From July 10 2020 until July 31 2020:
    • Up to 250 participants in open space.
    • Up to 50% of the occupancy and no more than 100 participants in a confined space. TYhe 
• The person operating this venue must require the phone list of all event participants and to keep it for 20 days since the date of the event
• Placing signs and sanitization stations around the complex
• Keeping distance, taking temperature upon entry and wearing masks
• Working in "capsules"
• Follow Work Procedures (Hebrew) ​

Mikveh

• For purposes of immersion in a women’s mikveh with a prearranged appointment.
• For purposes of immersion in a men's mikveh: no more than 1 person per 6 square meters in the water and no more than 1 person per 7 square meters out of water.

Places of Worship

• Prayer in a closed space is permitted under restrictions:
  • No more than 50 individuals in a single space
  • One seat free between individuals
  • Two meters between individuals
  • Appointing a coronavirus supervisor
  • Only appointed individuals may handle public religious artifacts, all others must use their personal religious artifacts
  • Practice hygiene
  • Further information (Hebrew)

Businesses Not Permitted to Operate

• Pools for toddlers
• Recreational facilities in parks, public gardens or amusement parks, water parks, theme parks, cinema complexes, theaters, other cultural establishments and museum facilities or exhibits meant to be touched and intended for children  
• Discotheques
• Public baths
• Grounds intended for holding shows, fairs and events

• 30% of public sector employees will work from home (in accordance with arrangements to be set by the Civil Service Commissioner and given administrative flexibility of the office's Director General).
• Industries, manufacturers and service providers can increase their workforce to 30% max or up to 10 employees simultaneously in the place of work, whichever is higher.
• Places of work and businesses that satisfy the "purple badge" (Hebrew) rules can have a bigger workforce (up to 100%), if they:
  • Appoint a Coronavirus Supervisor on behalf of the employer.
  • Practice strict hygiene: Avoid close contact, handshakes, sharing utensils.
  • Prohibit gatherings around the coffee machine and in the kitchen and allow eating in the office as much as possible.
  • Keep a distance of 2 meters between people.
  • If they take the body temperature of employees at the entrance to the workplace. An employee with a body temperature that exceeds 38°C shall be denied entry to the workplace.
  • If they can keep the same group of workers in the same transport group and the same shift as much as possible.
  • Only two employees can share a room of up to 20 square meters - or a larger number of employees, if  there is a partition between employees that prevents spreading of respiratory droplets.
  • A room that is larger than 20 square meters can accommodate no more than 5 employees or a larger number of employees if there is a partition between employees.
  • Meetings and conferences are permitted if there are no more than 50 employees in the same room, if social distancing is kept.
• If one of the employees becomes infected with the coronavirus in the workplace, all or part of the workplace will be closed until the Ministry of Health completes the epidemiological investigation.
• In addition, it is recommended that employees with background illnesses avoid physically arriving to the workplace.
• The Ministry of Health released guidelines for at risk populations. These guidelines are recommendations only, to clarify: at risk individuals are not forbidden to go to work or any other permitted activity as specified in Emergency Regulations.

• All schools resumed operation under restrictions:
  • 2 meters between students, including during lunchtime
  • Wearing masks
  • Practicing hygiene
• The higher education resumes full operation according to the Ministry of Education guidelines:
  • 2 meters between students
  • Wearing masks
  • Practicing hygiene
  • For further information, visit the Ministry of Education (Hebrew)>
  • If an area is declared a red zones, schools will be closed in that zone.
• Special education operate the same as the other schools, except nursing individuals: groups of 6.
• The higher education system will hold online exams (except special cases).
• High religious schools, religious schools (Midrasha) and Kolels will expand operation. Restrictions:
  • No more than 50 participants
  • 2 meters distance between people (except physical activities)
  • 2 meters distance can be kept on premise
  • Wearing masks

The activities of extracurricular activities, youth movements and informal educational programs shall resume under the following restrictions:

• Up to 50 participants
• Maintaining a 2-meter person to person distance (except when carrying out activities that necessitate contact, such as sport activities)
• Wearing masks  
• Indoor activities – up to 50 people may participate, provided they maintain a distance of 2 meters, or alternately if they ensure that there will be no more than one person per 7 square meters
• Outdoor activities – up to 50 people may participate, while maintaining a distance of 2 meters.

Summer and youth camps

Restrictions:

• Activities that do not include accommodation:
  • The activity will take place in regular groups with regular staff, with the exception of an activity carried by an external operator.
  • The activity will take place in regular groups of up to 35 participants up to fourth grade, and up to 25 participants from the fifth grade or older.
• Activities that include accommodation:
  • The accommodation will be in a building or open space, provided there are 2 meters between participants.
  • The activity will take place in regular groups of up to 25 participants.

Private vehicle

• Traveling in a private vehicle will be with two passengers only (a driver and a passenger)
• People of the same household can travel together, even more than 2 passengers in a vehicle.
• More than two passengers are allowed to travel in a private vehicle for essential purposes only, such as transporting a person for medical purpose, transporting of a minor between divorced parents, transporting a minor whose guardian must leave for an essential need where there is no responsible person to watch the child or traveling for a purpose of social welfare. However, it is recommended to avoid traveling with more than 3 passengers in a vehicle

Public transportation

Buses, trains, light rail or shuttle service:

• An empty row must be kept behind the driver
• There will be no more than a single person, sitting on a bench
• Standing passengers must maintain a distance of 2 meters from others
• It is the passenger’s responsibility not to use public transportation with fever, exceeding 38 degrees Celsius, cough, or breathing difficulty
• Intercity buses: 46 passengers max. (except the first row behind the driver, all seats can be used).
• City buses: 49 passengers max.
• Minibuses and shared taxis: 75 percent of the max. capacity permitted in the vehicle license.
• No passengers allowed to stand.
• Taxis: Up to 2 passengers in the back.
• Wash hands after each trip
• Windows shall be open during the trip
• The vehicle must be ventilated and its inner surfaces cleaned after each trip

Taxis

• Taxi services will be allowed only with one passenger, sitting in a back sit, while the windows of the vehicle are opened
• An escort is allowed in addition to the passenger in a taxi, for transporting a person for medical purpose, transporting of a minor between divorced parents, transporting a minor whose guardian must leave for an essential need where there is no responsible person to watch the child, or traveling for a purpose of social welfare.

Shuttle services

• Shuttle services for employees are allowed to/from their working place, in accordance with the guidelines

Recommendations of behavior when visiting first degree relatives, especially grandparents:

• Only one nuclear family may visit the grandparents at a time
• No overcrowding at the grandparents' house – The number of people allowed is subject to the ability to maintain a distance of 2-meters from person to person.
• Wash hands immediately upon entering the grandparent's house – Do not touch anything before.
• Keep your distance – Don't kiss, hug or touch, and wear masks at all times.
• Do not share utensils – Use plastic utensils or one serving spoon for each dish. Wash the dishes in the dishwasher at a temperature of 60 degrees or more. 
• Do not come for a visit if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.
• Keep the house well-ventilated – Open windows, balcony doors, etc.
• In as much as possible, hold the family visit in an open space around the house, all the while abiding by the Ministry of Health's guidance and keeping a distance from other people in the public sphere.    

Thursday July 02 2020 08:00 through Thursday July 09 2020 08:00:

• Ashdod
  • 3rd Neighborhood 
  • 7th Neighborhood 
  • 8th Neighborhood 
• Lod
  • Rakevet Neighborhood 
  • Snir Neighborhood 
  • Neveh Shalom Neighborhood 

Entering and exiting restricted areas are limited. Travel and business activity is limited in a restricted area.

Exiting a restricted area

Unless otherwise stated, exiting a restricted area is permitted in the following cases:

• To attend a Bagrut examination
• Receiving essential medical service unavailable in a restricted area
• Legal processes requiring attendance
• Police officers, soldiers, correctional officers, firefighters or healthcare professionals on duty
• A funeral of a first degree family member
• Transfer of a minor between separated parents who have shared custody
• Any other essential necessity (helping a sick relative or older adult, or attending a funeral of a relative) with the prior approval of the National Emergency Authority

Entering a restricted area

Unless otherwise stated, entering a restricted area is permitted in the following cases:

• Rescue agencies (Magen David Adom, firefighters and rescue services) as well as the Israel Police, the IDF and the Civil Defense Service on duty
• Permanent residents of the restricted area
• Healthcare professionals on duty
• Social and welfare workers on duty
• Journalists
• Supply of essential products and services including electricity, water, communication and waste services
• Transfer of a minor between separated parents who have shared custody
• Any other essential necessity (helping a sick relative or older adult, or attending a funeral of a relative) with the prior approval of the National Emergency Authority

Limited travel in a restricted area

Travel in a restricted area is permitted for the following cases only:

• Going to work or a job interview, and returning from work
• Getting food, medicines, and essential products and receiving essential services
• Receiving medical care
• Donating blood
• Attending Demonstrations
• Attending Legal proceedings
• Going to the Knesset
• Receiving welfare services
• Participating in sport activities alone or with the same partner each time, or with people who live together, up to 500 meters from the place of residence, or at a larger distance as defined by the Ministerial Committee
• Leaving a place of residence alone or with people who live together, for a short time, up to 100 meters from the place of residence, or at a larger distance as defined by the Ministerial Committee
• Going to Mikveh (ritual baths)
• Going to prayer services, funerals, brits, or weddings
• Receiving medical assistance for one’s self or assisting a person with difficulty or distress
• Transfer of a minor whose parents live separately between parents
• Transfer of a minor whose parents live separately when one parent is required for essential purposes as specified in the regulations, providing there is no other responsible supervision available for the minor

Further information