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Israel

Israel bans outside prayer gatherings in latest anti-viral measures

Benjamin Netanyahu places himself in quarantine after an aide tests positive for coronavirus

March 31, 2020 08:21
Chevra Kadisha workers, wearing protective clothes, carry the body of a coronavirus victim at the Shamgar Funeral Home in Jerusalem on Sunday
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CORONAVIRUS
OUTBREAK

Israel has introduced further measures to combat the spread of coronavirus, banning outdoors minyanim and ordering employees to take their temperature before work.

Funerals will be restricted to 20 mourners, while only 10 people are allowed at a brit.

Failure to comply with the directives could lead to a fine or six months’ imprisonment.

The only exemption to the prohibition on Jewish prayer gatherings is at the Kotel, where a bare minyan of 10 people keeping two metres apart from one another will be permitted for the three daily services.