Israel goes back to virus lockdown amid 5,000 new cases

JERUSALEM

Israel is set to return to a total coronavirus lockdown later Friday as infections are mounting across the nation.

The lockdown will be effective as of 2 p.m. local time (1100GMT). Under the lockdown, people must remain 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) of home.

Businesses except for food and medicine will be closed and no more than 10 people will be allowed indoors and 20 people most will be allowed to gather outdoors.

Israel registered additional 5,238 cases from the coronavirus outbreak over the past 24 hours.

In a statement, the Health Ministry said the country’s tally rose to 176,933 confirmed cases, including 1,169 deaths.

The ministry said 577 patients remain in critical condition, while 153 others are on respirators.

Israel witnesses a significant increase in the daily number of virus cases.

On Sunday, the Israeli government approved a lockdown to take effect on Friday and last for three weeks in an attempt to stem the spread of the virus.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat