National lockdown in Israel
Israel has entered a second national coronavirus lockdown, with residents in Netanya and the Sharon region, both of whom are serviced by the Laniado Hospital facing at least three weeks of tough restrictions. Coming into effect hours before Rosh Hashanah, these will extend through key holidays including Yom Kippur and Sukkot.
Confined to a 1km radius around their homes, gatherings of more than 10 people inside are banned, and schools, nurseries, restaurants, shopping centres, gyms, hairdressers, and hotels are all shut.
The prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, had said the move was essential after hospitals including Laniado “raised the red flag” following a steep surge in Covid-19 cases. In the last week alone, Laniado has seen a 58% increase in cases with five patients on ventilators and one patient losing their fight with the virus earlier this week.
The closure marks the first time in the world an advanced country has imposed a repeat closure to curb the pandemic.