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Updated June 1st, 2021 at 19:25 IST

Israel lifts almost all pandemic restrictions

Israel lifted on Tuesday almost all pandemic restrictions including the usage of the vaccination certificate, known as the green pass, which only allowed people who were vaccinated to access public venues.

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Israel lifted on Tuesday almost all pandemic restrictions including the usage of the vaccination certificate, known as the green pass, which only allowed people who were vaccinated to access public venues.

"Today is a very special day," said Hezi Levi, Israel's Health Ministry Director-General.

"Now we are opening all the activity in Israel and no more green pass," he added.

Israel's Health Ministry announced last week that due to the low and steady rate of virus deaths, green passes will be would no longer be needed across the country from June 1.

Levi said the ministry will keep the requirement to wear masks indoors.

At Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, musician Aviv Geffen performed in front of patients and medical staff to celebrate the end of restrictions.

Israel's speedy vaccination drive has made it one of the few countries able to return to much of its pre-pandemic routine.

Bars and businesses, hotels and health clubs in Israel have all reopened.

Israel has pushed to vaccinate most of its 9.3 million population. It has thus far delivered over 5.4 million first doses of the Pfizer vaccine and at least 5.1 million second doses.

Israel has confirmed at least 839,000 cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic and 6,412 deaths, according to the Health Ministry.

"It feels great .. we went back to our lives and everything is amazing again," said Yael Okeev who was accompanying a patient at the hospital.

 

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Published June 1st, 2021 at 19:25 IST

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