Israeli police threw up metal barricades and roadblocks on Friday to enforce a lockdown of an ultra-Orthodox Jewish town badly affected by coronavirus.
Emergency regulations approved by the cabinet late Thursday declared Bnei Brak, near Tel Aviv, a “restricted zone” due to its high rate of infections. The new designation allows authorities to tighten curbs on public movement.
“Bnei Brak is on lockdown, as of this morning, and police will prevent any movements in or out of the city,” police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.Medical experts estimate that as many as 38% of Bnai Brak’s 200,000 residents are infected with coronavirus and that the town could soon account for as many as 30% of cases in Israel’s 8.7 million population.
With the elderly especially prone to the illness, Israel’s military plans to evacuate 4,500 people aged 80 and above in the town, and place them in isolation in hostels requisitioned by the armed forces.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Israel Faces Challenges In Fighting Coronavirus In Ultra-Orthodox CommunitiesUltra-Orthodox Jews make up about 12% of Israel's population — but account for many of Israel's COVID-19 cases. This week a senior rabbi finally urged his followers to obey government lockdown orders.
Read more »
Israel Faces Challenges In Fighting Coronavirus In Ultra-Orthodox CommunitiesUltra-Orthodox Jews make up about 12% of Israel's population — but account for many of Israel's COVID-19 cases. This week a senior rabbi finally urged his followers to obey government lockdown orders.
Read more »
After ignoring warnings, Israeli ultra-Orthodox hit by virusBNEI BRAK, Israel (AP) — Early this week, the streets of the central Israeli city of Bnei Brak were bustling with shoppers as ultra-Orthodox residents, obeying their religious leaders, ignored...
Read more »
Disney stock, ‘particularly hard hit’ by coronavirus, is downgraded in stinging research noteWalt Disney Co. shares were up 1% Thursday despite a stinging research note that downgraded its stock and lowered its price target as it grapples with the...
Read more »
Fed's Eric Rosengren said the central bank 'acted quickly' as markets froze upNevertheless, Rosengren said the coronavirus will continue to hit the economy, particularly employment.
Read more »
WSJ News Exclusive | Flight Attendants Urge Government Not to Take Airline StakesFlight attendants urged federal officials not to make grants to airlines contingent on government stakes, saying they believe executives would refuse—costing jobs in an industry hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
Read more »