In Israel schools are open again. A lot of restrictions are being relaxed. It was something to be expected after about 4 straight days without a single new case of COVID-19. Then, yesterday, the penny dropped. There were 17 NEW cases confirmed. Among them, a teacher, a worker in a home for the elderly, a helper in a day-care center for kids 0-K, and, according to at least one report, a hospital employee.
Can’t help but wonder if things were done a bit too fast.
On the other hand, tourist facilities are also being opened. Several hotels will be open, and they report reservations are near capacity (but, of course, less than half the hotels that were closed are re-opening). Some airlines will be resuming flights to/from Israel. Destinations like Greece, Cyprus, and Montenegro are available. They also don’t require 2 week quarantines in either direction.
The most interesting tourist destination that is open to Israelis is the Seychelle Islands, just north of Madagascar. The ONLY country being allowed to send tourists to the Seychelles at present is Israel!
Relaxing restrictions has also resulted in about 250,000 people returning to work and a corresponding drop in those registered as unemployed. Perhaps the authorities weren’t being too hasty.
I’m still observing a voluntary quarantine until the situation is a bit clearer.
Wetherhorn 