Although Israel is leading the world in vaccinating its citizens, the spread of a more contagious delta option has nevertheless forced it to tighten anti-pandemic measures again. Ministers on Tuesday approved a set of new rules that will take effect on Sunday, August 8. They decided to take this step after the daily increase in infected people exceeded 3,000 for the first time since March.
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Under the tightened measures, Israelis will have to wear blinds at more than 100 people at outdoor events. The ratio of hours that government officials work from the office will then return to 50 percent. The private sector was also called upon to allow its workers to work from home. Another change concerns vaccinated people who are caring for an infected child under the age of 12. From now on, mandatory quarantine applies.
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In order to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the government has also decided to extend the covid passport system. From August 20, they will apply to all mass events, not just those over 100 participants, as is the case now. Access to public places for unvaccinated children will also be restricted.
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Greece bans music and night out
Greece is also taking stricter measures. Due to the spread of the coronavirus disease, it banned music in restaurants, bars and cafes and introduced a night curfew on the popular tourist island of Zakynthos and the city of Chania in Crete. Referring to the Deputy Minister of Civil Protection, Reuters reported today.
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The measures will take effect at 6 am on Friday, August 6 and will last at least until August 13. The Ministry of Civil Defense will decide on a further extension with regard to the epidemic situation.
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The curfew will apply from one to six in the morning, except for those who move for work or go to the hospital. Music playback will be prohibited without exception in all hospitality, leisure and cultural facilities.
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Public and private gatherings of more than 20 people will also be banned in Zakynthos and Chania on the north-west coast of Crete. Violation of the collection measures could result in a fine of 50,000 to 200,000 euros (about one to 5 million crowns), wrote the letter Ekathimerini.
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The number of confirmed cases of covid-19 increased by 69 percent in Zakynthos compared to last week and in the city of Chania by 54 percent.
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France is also taking new measures
The rules are also being tightened in France. The spread of the delta variant here has led to an increase in the number of hospitalized, it follows this is from data released by the French health authorities on Tuesday. On the same day, the authorities also activated an emergency plan for the island of Corsica, which is facing an increased spread of coronavirus disease after a holiday raid by tourists.
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The situation on the island has deteriorated significantly recently. Many patients with covid lie in intensive care units and local authorities mobilize medical staff. In Bastia, one of the two most important cities on the island, hospital occupancy reaches up to 79%. The night curfew and other restrictions apply here from Wednesday. Corsica introduced the mandatory wearing of veils in some cities as early as mid-July. Other popular coastal areas in France have taken the same step.
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The French authorities are trying to protect Corsica from a lockdown that could threaten it with a high number of people infected. The Guadeloupe archipelago returned to partial lockdown this week, becoming France’s third overseas territory to report a “catastrophic” increase in covid cases and introduce partial lockdown.
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The French government also announced on Tuesday that it would reactivate a package of measures to support medical staff preparing for a further increase in cases. Hospital staff will be offered bonuses for overtime and compensation for paid leave, which they cannot draw due to the pressure they are putting on them in connection with the pandemic.
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Among other things, the French Constitutional Council today approved the validity of a controversial covid law, including the criticized need to prove medical passports in restaurants and cafes. On the contrary, she refused the obligatory isolation of the infected.
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