Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday announced a third national blockade in an effort to combat a growing number of coronavirus cases.
Netanyahu said the new restrictions would begin on Sunday evening and remain in effect for 14 days if the cabinet approves it, according to Reuters.
Under the proposed restrictions, travel would be limited, schools would be partially closed and shops and businesses would close. Residents would also be limited to traveling just a mile from home unless they commute to work or buy staples, such as groceries, Reuters noted.
The Christian population of the nation would be restricted to celebrating Christmas with prayer and worship in gatherings of ten people or less indoors and no more than 100 people outdoors.
The news of the blockade comes just as Israel has begun rolling out its coronavirus vaccine. On Saturday, Netanyahu received the nation’s first inoculation.
He encouraged others to do the same.
“It was a small blow for a man, a big step for the health of all of us. May he succeed. Get out and get vaccinated! Netanyahu remarked after his shooting.
Health Minister Yuli Edelstein said the country is on track to complete its vaccination campaign in the coming months, Reuters reported.
Israel has seen more than 385,000 coronavirus cases and 3,150 virus-related deaths. The nation’s Ministry of Health reported on Wednesday that four people in Israel had become infected with the new strain of COVID-19 that was first found in the UK, according to the media.