As of today, more is possible for Israelis who are fully vaccinated. They can resume part of their old life by showing their so-called green pass. With those privileges, Israel also hopes to convince doubters to get vaccinated.
Israelis can activate their vaccination certificate a week after the second vaccination via an app on their phone. This gives them access to cultural performances, sports competitions, swimming pools, places of worship, gyms and hotels. People who have recovered from the virus and therefore have antibodies in their body, also claim a green pass. According to the Minister of Health, it concerns a total of 3.2 million Israelis.
These people are happy with the easing:
The measure comes at the same time as a series of relaxations that apply to all citizens. For example, museums, libraries, markets and shopping centers can open their doors to everyone again today. Mouth masks and keeping your distance remain mandatory, even for green pass holders.
Vaccination campaign
In recent weeks, the number of new infections in Israel has fallen steadily, partly thanks to an energetic vaccination campaign. The country has now vaccinated more than 45 percent of all citizens. And that is bearing fruit: among people who are fully vaccinated, the risk of disease from the corona virus decreases by more than 95 percent.
Yet not everyone is convinced of the vaccine. For a few weeks now, every Israeli over 16 has been able to get vaccinated, but the pace is slowing down. Young Israelis seem less keen on a shot. And also among some population groups, such as among Arab Israelis and ultra-Orthodox Jews, the figures are lagging behind.
The benefit to vaccinations is one of the ways to further boost vaccination advice. But the government has more plans. For example, according to media reports, the Ministry of Health is preparing a law to require some workers to vaccinate, such as teachers, police officers and health care personnel. Those who refuse should have a corona test every two days.
Opponents think such measures go much too far. So is another plan by the ministry to share the names and contact details of citizens who have not been vaccinated with local authorities. In this way, municipalities could encourage their residents to get an injection.
According to an Israeli privacy watchdog, such measures infringe the private sphere. Civil rights groups also call it dangerous and very serious if citizens’ medical data can be disseminated without permission.
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Half of the population is not yet immune.
But the benefits for vaccinated Israelis are not limited to the interior. The government has agreed with Greece and Cyprus that citizens with a green pass will soon be able to go on holiday to those two countries. Conversely, vaccinated Greeks and Cypriots can therefore fly to Israel without having to be quarantined. This is not yet an issue, because the airspace is virtually closed.
Despite the rapid vaccination campaign, herd immunity in Israel is not yet within reach, according to experts. A new lockdown is therefore not ruled out, the highest corona official on the radio warned: “half of the population is not yet immune”.
This is partly because children cannot yet be vaccinated, because the vaccine has not yet been tested on them. Health scientists also point to the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The vaccination campaign for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip is barely getting off the ground. According to Israel, the Palestinian Authority is responsible for the vaccinations of the Palestinians in those areas. But as yet hardly any vaccines are available.
The position of the PA is not entirely clear. On the one hand, Palestinian administrators criticize Israel for its lack of support. But several PA spokespersons have also said they would arrange the vaccines themselves.
With deliveries of a total of 12,000 vaccines from Russia and Israel, some of the Palestinian health personnel were vaccinated. But international organizations are calling on Israel to do more to vaccinate Palestinians. Experts point out that this is also in Israel’s interest, as more than 100,000 Palestinians work in Israel and in Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Israel, meanwhile, is looking forward to March 7, in two weeks. Then cafes and restaurants should also be able to open their doors again.