From Thursday, 7 May 2020 until Wednesday, 13 May 2020, lighting fires will be prohibited throughout the country. During this period, gathering on the area of Mt. Meron will be prohibited except for local residents or people who need to go there for work; the renting of bed-and-breakfasts and guestrooms in the area of Mt. Meron to anyone who does not live in the area shall also be prohibited. From Thursday, 14 May 2020 until 06:00 on Sunday, 17 May 2020, entry to – and presence in – the immediate area of the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and the community of Meron shall be prohibited, including the renting of bed-and-breakfasts and guestrooms in this area to anyone who does not reside there.

Instead of the annual customary events at the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai on Mt. Meron, the Religious Services Minister shall allow three separate bonfires in the area of the tomb to be held by special permit at different times. No more than 50 people shall participate in each bonfire. The Religious Services Minister shall give equal representation to various communities, including fair representation for women.

There shall be no public transportation to the area of Mt. Meron throughout this period except for the transport of local residents and participants in the permitted bonfires.

Violation of the foregoing (presence in a prohibited area without a permit, renting bed-and-breakfasts or guestrooms during the period in question to persons who are not local residents, operating public transportation to the area of Mt. Meron during the period in question and lighting/participating in bonfires anywhere in the country during the period in question) shall constitute an offense punishable by fine.

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Pursuant to the public health order to be signed by the Health Ministry Director General in the coming days that will permit up to 50 people to gather in open areas, it has been determined that on Sunday, 10 May 2020, the restriction on holding weddings, funerals, and prayers by 19 or 20 people, shall be lifted.

As of Sunday, 10 May 2020, it shall be permitted to hold circumcisions in a closed place, with up to 19 people in attendance (despite the prohibition on gatherings in buildings).

It shall be permitted to administer mental health treatment to minors without masks and without maintaining the distance required by the regulations if such treatment must be held with the care giver and the recipient in closer proximity.

Gyms and exercise/dance studios may open provided that the number of people present conforms to one person per ten square meters (instead of 15) for gyms and one person per seven square meters for studios, and that the rules for maintaining public health in a public place are strictly maintained.

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The Health Ministry calls on the public to continue adhering to the directives regarding physical distance, wearing masks and maintaining hygiene, in order to ensure the public health and for the continuation of the common struggle against the spread of the coronavirus.