Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued the following statement this evening, at the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem >>
business.facebook.com/IsraeliPM/post…
business.facebook.com/IsraeliPM/post…
PM Netanyahu: There is no respite in the global and national war against the coronavirus. A mighty battle is being waged here between the chances of success and the risk of failure.
I would like to share with you one detail that the government of South Korea recently published: It said that 91 people who recovered from the coronavirus were diagnosed again as sick.
We are checking this. If it is correct, the reality is far more complex that than we formerly believed because it would seem that immunity to the virus is not automatic immunity. It could be that the virus can reawaken and cause infection in wide circles.
Therefore, we must all continue to be very cautious. We must not let our discipline slacken. This would be human; this is natural, but in the war against the coronavirus there is no choice.
We have had great success in this war. Israel is ranked among the safest countries in the world in all indicators relative to its population. I will give you one example: Several weeks ago, at the height, we had a 22% daily increase in the infection rate. Today we are at 4%.
The rate of infection is constantly improving, and it is relatively low, in comparison to most countries. This also holds for the mortality rate, the proportion of those who are seriously ill, and of those who are on ventilators. There is a ventilator for whoever requires one.
This also holds for our number of tests per capita. But if we backtrack prematurely from the necessary and essential steps, we are liable to pay a very heavy price in human lives.
Our ability to respond quickly and flexibly to the coronavirus challenge is arousing appreciation in many countries. In many areas Israel has become the model, and we are learning some of these things from other countries.
But many countries have been dilatory in taking the necessary steps and are paying a very heavy price in human life. The war on the coronavirus is a dynamic struggle and we are updating and sometimes also correcting ourselves on the fly.
Tomorrow, the eve of the last day of Passover, at 17:00, and until 05:00 on Thursday, you must remain within the boundaries of your cities and communities, and if this is in neighborhoods in Jerusalem, within the neighborhood area.
You are requested to celebrate the last day of Passover and Maimouna among the family members who are with you now, as it was on the first night of Passover. After the holiday you can go out and buy food and medicines in your communities.
The bakeries and supermarkets will open on Thursday morning. We will instruct the police to prevent gatherings at supermarkets and bakeries. I remind you that on Maimouna, Thursday, we will prohibit, as we are doing now, gatherings of any kind in parks, gardens and public places.
Alongside the health challenge there is also a great economic challenge. Previously, in the two major economic crises of this millennium, I succeeded, with your help, in moving the Israeli economy on to great achievements. We emerged from the crises and the economy flourished
It is my intention, together with you, to do this again. We have already formulated the economic plan. The immediate economic aid is underway. But we are currently preparing an economic plan for a gradual and responsible exit from the economic lockdown of the corona crisis.
Before the weekend, we will formulate a final Cabinet decision on the next steps regarding both the economy and the education system. In any case, even if we decide on gradual exit steps, these steps will be slow and responsible.
We are looking at everything: The self-employed, businesses, the unemployed, and all the infrastructures important to us in industry, services and small businesses – all of these. We are trying to integrate them in a correct and responsible plan for a gradual exit from the crisis
From we will emerge into a different routine from that which we knew before the global crisis because many things will change. Life will change, as will society to a certain degree, work, and technology, as is now happening all over the world.
And again, I cannot over-emphasize that even if the coronavirus is in retreat, there is no guarantee that it will not return. The virus is liable to attack again; there have already been such things in the world.
Therefore, cautious steps will gradually be taken in the country and around the world until a coronavirus vaccine is found. Until a coronavirus vaccine is found, we are in a single reality.
Only when a vaccine is found will we be able to move on to the world of tomorrow, which will be like the world of yesterday. This is not the situation at the moment; so everything will continue to be managed responsibly to protect the most precious thing we have – life itself.
Citizens of Israel, before the seventh day of Passover, I again wish you a healthy holiday, a kosher holiday and – to the extent possible – a happy holiday.
From the depths of my heart, I thank the medical crews, the doctors, the nurses, our dear soldiers, the security forces and all of the volunteers who are showing exemplary humanity and good citizenship.
On the last day of the holiday, we mark the miracle of the splitting of the sea, which symbolizes our ability to do the most difficult things. This is also difficult, like the splitting of the sea; together we will overcome and defeat the coronavirus.
