Govt authorizes 3-week lockdown starting 2p.m. Friday

Prime Minister Netanyahu has insisted that schools will be closed for all grades in the first two weeks of the proposed lockdown, and that they will Inly reopen for the lower grades in the two weeks thereafter.His remarks were made at this afternoon's cabinet meeting at which lockdown proposals are to be decided upon.

Pressure to keep up with the UAE will lead more Arab countries to open up formal ties with Israel. Op-ed.

Gov't has authorized continuation of classes until Friday

PM, Gamzu to make public announcement at 8 o'clock re: lockdown

Speaking at a conference held immediately prior to boarding his plane to fly to the United States, Prime Minister Netanyahu insisted that, "We were the first in the world to understand the danger posed by the coronavirus, and the number of those seriously ill is still Ine of the lowest in the world."

Deputy Health Minister Yoav Kish (Likud) told ministers at today's cabinet meeting that the now-regular left-wing protests against the government and Prime Minister Netanyahu pose a danger to public health."There is no debate among senior officials at the Health Ministry In this issue," he said. "In order to win public confidence, we have to be impartial."Earlier today, Attorney-General Mandelblit expressed his opinion that "people can't be prevented from protesting."

A special ministerial committee is to be set up in order to decide In the question of whether to shut down Ben Gurion airport, during the nationwide lockdown that is expected to be imposed at the end of this week.