Israel has abolished the requirement to wear masks in open areas and fully resumed classes in its schools on Sunday, marking the latest step towards a relatively normal situation thanks to a massive vaccination campaign against COVID-19. Israel has recorded a significant decline in infection and case rates, with nearly 54% of its 9.3 million residents having received two doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.
On Sunday, authorities lifted the requirement for masks in outdoor spaces, which the police had monitored since its imposition last year. However, the Ministry of Health stated that masks remain mandatory in enclosed public spaces, urging citizens to carry them.
Middle school students have returned to their pre-pandemic schedule after spending the previous period at home or attending some classes, joining nursery children and elementary and high school students who had already returned to their classes. The Ministry of Education noted that schools should continue to promote personal hygiene, ensure classroom ventilation, and uphold maximum social distancing during breaks and study times.
It is important to mention that Israel considers Palestinians in East Jerusalem among its residents and provides vaccinations there. Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip receive a limited supply of vaccines provided by Israel, Russia, the UAE, the global COVAX program, and China.
