Jerusalem, Israel - Feb. 28, 2021 - With Shushan Purim on Shabbat this year, Sunday, February 28, 2021, was when Mishloah Manot and the Purim Seudah were held by those in Jerusalem, Israel. Even with strict coronavirus restrictions, the Jerusalem Municipality sponsored dozens of colorful street entertainers to perform for the thousands who were able to get into the center of town during the day. Most of the people on the streets in the crowd were dressed in Purim costumes, though in Jerusalem it is often hard to tell.

Travel into Jerusalem, was extremely limited. Group buses were not allowed to come from outside the city. A Purim night curfew extended until Sunday midnight. Smaller groups than usual and family units celebrated Purim in a limited capacity.

The ministerial committee dealing with the coronavirus, on Sunday, in a conference call, approved extending the requirement for those returning from abroad, from all countries, to quarantine in state-sponsored designated hotels by 72 hours until 12:00 on Friday, March 5, 2021. 

The quarantine is for 14 days for those who do not undergo a coronavirus test and 10 days for those who undergo two coronavirus tests with both being negative, in accordance with the existing procedure. Exceptional requests will be evaluated on an individual basis by a Health Ministry committee at Ben-Gurion International Airport; those with Health Ministry vaccination or recovery certificates are required to undergo tests, in accordance with the Health Ministry procedure.

Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Yisrael Katz, Education Minister Yoav Galant, Chairman of the Federation of Local Authorities in Israel Haim Bibas, Education Ministry Director-General Amit Edri, Israel Teachers Union Head Yaffa Ben-David, Teachers’ Union Head Ran Erez, National Parents Federation Chairman Merom Sheef held a briefing regarding the continued opening of the education system, at the Ministry of Education headquarters in Jerusalem. There are middle school students who have had only one day of in-classroom education this school year.