The Israeli government voted unanimously in favor of a night curfew on Purim, which is Thursday-Sunday this year, each night of the three-day weekend from 8:30 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. The curfew is aimed at curbing any possible spread of the virus over Purim, which many point to as the holiday which began the spread of the pandemic last year.

According to the rules of the night curfew, people will not be able to travel beyond 1,000 meters from their home except for essential needs, and there will be a ban on being in another’s person’s home during that time.

Public transportation will also severely limited and in many cases halted altogether.  Intercity bus service will not operate from Thursday at 8 p.m. until Friday at 5 a.m. and from Motzei Shabbos until Sunday at 5 a.m. Outside of those hours, public transportation will operate as usual.

Health Ministry officials have warned that mass gatherings held on Purim could lead to a resurgence of the virus, and even cause another lockdown.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)