Israel returned to a total coronavirus lockdown later Friday (Sept.18) as infections are mounting across the nation. The lockdown started as of 2 p.m. local time.
Under the lockdown, people must remain 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) of home.
5,238 NEW CASES WERE RECORDED
Businesses except for food and medicine will be closed and no more than 10 people will be allowed indoors and 20 people most will be allowed to gather outdoors.
Israel registered additional 5,238 cases from the coronavirus outbreak over the past 24 hours. The ministry said 577 patients remain in critical condition, while 153 others are on respirators.
Israel witnesses a significant increase in the daily number of virus cases. On Sunday, the Israeli government approved a lockdown to take effect on Friday and last for three weeks in an attempt to stem the spread of the virus.