Posted on 08/20/21
| News Source: i24
Goal is to avoid the spread of COVID-19 in schools by keeping kids at home who test positive
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced via Twitter that 1.7 million rapid COVID-19 tests arrived to Ben Gurion Airport on Friday destined for children before school starts on September 1.
Bennett said that the tests will be sent to every Israeli parent in order to test their children ahead of the academic year.
The goal, according to the prime minister, is to reduce enrollment for children who test positive for COVID-19 to reduce the spread of the virus as the country continues to face an outbreak of the highly contagious delta variant that started in late June.
Earlier this week, Bennett refused to commit to the date of September 1 for the start of the school year, while cases of coronavirus continue increasing and the bar of 500 patients in serious condition has been exceeded.
"We will make the final decision next week, depending on the health situation," Bennett told a Channel 13 reporter.
The prime minister on Friday kicked off Israel's booster campaign for adults over the age of 40 by getting the third jab.