Israel tightens COVID-19 lockdown restrictions

Details: Israel is facing its third national lockdown, which started last week, but health officials have called for more restrictive measures, the Times of Israel reports.

• The latest rules, effective for at least two weeks, will close workplaces except for essential services, restrict travel to a 1-kilometer radius from peoples' homes and limit gatherings to five people indoors and 10 outdoors.
• Schools other than special education institutions will close.
• Individuals who have not already purchased plane tickets to travel abroad during the lockdown will not be permitted to fly, per the prime minister's office.

What they’re saying: "We see the coronavirus running amok around the world," Netanyahu said. "The British mutation is out of control."

• "The Health Ministry and the experts are warning us that we are in an emergency situation and that if we do not act immediately we will lose many hundreds of Israelis — and even more — who will die. We must not allow this to happen, certainly not at the finish line."

Of note: Israel currently leads the world in coronavirus vaccinations.