JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel will stop using the digital COVID-19 vaccination certificate as new infections continue to decline, Israel’s prime minister said.
After meeting with health officials on Thursday, Naftali Bennett said the wave of infections caused by the omicron variant of the coronavirus in Israel “has broken” and further easing of restrictions is on the way.
The digital vaccination passport or “green pass” allowed people who had recovered from the coronavirus or had received at least three doses of the vaccine to enter closed places and large gatherings.
Although new infections remain high, the Ministry of Health has reported a steady decline in severe COVID-19 cases since peaking in early February due to omicron.
Last year, Israel rushed to vaccinate most of its adult population after striking a deal with Pfizer to give up medical data in exchange for a steady supply of vaccines. Some 48% of Israel’s 9.4 million people have received three doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine since the vaccination campaign began in late 2020. More than 72% of the country has received at least one injection.
At least 9,710 people in Israel have died from coronavirus since the start of the pandemic two years ago.
–
