Over half of citizens fully vaccinated

Over half of Israel’s population is fully vaccinated against the novel coronavirus, meaning that they have received both shots of the vaccine, Health Minister Yuli Edelstein announced on Thursday.

“We passed the 50% mark of all Israeli citizens who are fully vaccinated with the second dose of the [corona] vaccine,” he wrote. “Thanks to them, the State of Israel is defeating coronavirus. All that remains is to follow the instructions so that coronavirus does not return.”

This comes as the government announced that due to the successful vaccination campaign, Israel’s citizens will be able to celebrate the upcoming religious and national holidays under the green passport outline, with a far wider range of movement than last year.

Only 476 people tested positive for corona on Wednesday out of 45,314 tested, the Health Ministry reported on Thursday morning, just over 1%.

There are currently 484 people seriously ill with the virus among 11,837 active cases. The death toll in Israel stands at 6,158.

On Wednesday, the Health Ministry published detailed guidelines for the upcoming holidays.

While general gatherings are limited to 20 indoors and 50 outdoors, places of worship and ceremonies organized for green passport holders will be able to see the participation of several thousand people.

In accordance to what the government decided last week, outdoor venues with fewer than 10,000 seats can host up to 75% of maximum permitted capacity, or up to 3,000 people. Those with more than 10,000 seats will be able to accommodate guests at 30% of capacity, or up to 5,000 people. Indoor venues with fewer than 5,000 seats will be open for up to 75% of their capacity, or maximum 1,000 people, and those with more than 5,000 seats can host 30% of their maximum permitted capacity and 3,000 people.