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ISRAELIS WILL NO longer have to wear masks outdoors starting from today as the number of virus infections plummets.
“The rate of infection in Israel is very low thanks to the successful vaccine campaign in Israel, and therefore it is possible to ease (restrictions),” , Health Minister Yuli Edelstein said in a statement Thursday.
He said however that masks will still be required indoors.
With close to five million people – more than half the population of 9.3 million – vaccinated, Israel continues its world-beating campaign that sent coronavirus infection rates down.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu obtained millions of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines in part by agreeing to share with Pfizer medical data on the product’s impact.
The vaccines have transformed life in Israel. In mid-January the country had a peak of some 10,000 new infections a day but the rate is now about 200 cases a day.
The rate of new infections has remained low even after in-person learning resumed and restrictions were loosened on bars, restaurants and indoor gatherings.
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla was a guest of honour at a government ceremony on Wednesday evening marking Israel’s 73rd year of independence.
“Together we are demonstrating that through mass vaccinations we can defeat the Covid-19 pandemic and save lives,” Bourla said in a video address.
Throughout the festivities marking independence day, thousands of people held barbecues, lounged on beaches and celebrated at parties, often without masks.
On Wednesday, Israel announced a plan to allow vaccinated foreign tourists to return in groups beginning 23 May, more than a year after closing its borders to most tourists to prevent the spread of the virus.
Israel’s easing of restrictions stands in contrast to the occupied West Bank and the blockaded Gaza Strip, where infection rates remain high and vaccinations are low.
Rights groups say Israel must supply vaccines to the 4.8 million Palestinians living there, but Israel says Palestinians must obtain their own shots.
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Barristers have to be kidding if they expect support from Paddy the plumber. They have been taking private litigants to the cleaners for years. Yes, these are criminal case barristers, but barristers are barristers in the eyes of most of us , and barrister fees are a grand a day. It is too late to look for sympathy from Joe Public lads, you aint gonna get it. Why their pals in the Dept don’t just pay them , is a mystery to me…not like them at all. Could it be that barristers are unpopular even among the judiciary?
@Sionnachog: Lets hope you never need a Barrister. Lets blame the people striking, call them selfish and turn people against them so the Government aren’t the bad guys. Good job.
@Sionnachog: most of the barristers that are based at the CCJ are criminal law specialists . Granted , legal aid might not always be available for road traffic / drink driving matters , but they are technical type of cases where barrister’s skill may result in cases getting dropped . Relying on the views of alleged most people , most of who are idiots , is not a sound basis to ground an argument. Barristers have to set out their fees or estimates in writing before taking a case . 1 k a day ? In district and circuit ? Lol. Maybe parties in family law cases should take that into account when they needlessly cause delays due to being so pigheaded on issues that they won’t win . Most of the top members of the judiciary are or were barristers. The Attorney General tends to be a barrister
@Sionnachog: funny you mention paddy the plumber . Little to no accountability against the plumber who mess up a job unless you sue him in court . Barristers are heavily regulated (rightly so) a plumber can continue with his enterprise even if he is Jesuitical with tax returns . Same can’t be said for barristers . A plumber will rarely call out to a house for a consultation for free . Understandable . A barrister is expected to spend 10-2:30 in court waiting for his legal aid case to come on for a messily €25 per adjournment . Legal aid work at district ain’t worth their while but solicitors can’t be in both a busy office and courts at the same time so barrister is often needed for district work.
@Sionnachog: “barrister fees are a grand a day”
Laughably incorrect
Adler:I did need one and they stung me, that’s why I have no time for them.
@Sionnachog: That says more about you than it does them.
@Sionnachog: working on the direction of a solicitor they are handsomely paid ..as for solicitors .. apart from standard fees they look what’s in the “pot” and charge accordingly.. leeches on society ..
@Noel Kelleher: that is no longer allowed . Moreover in civil cases , both must set their fees out in writing or give proper estimates at all times . It’s up to you to question or look elsewhere etc . If they don’t follow their own rules , the law is on your side and they are in big trouble with the LSRA .
@Sionnachog: No they didn’t.
@Noel Kelleher: Total rubbish.
@Jack B Quick: I was given an oral estimate .. then charged 2.5 times that .. reduced to 1.5 times through the taxmaster .. no rubbish here sunshine .. just experience.. I learned a lot ..
@Christy Dolan: I would agree Christy they are more under scrutiny in recent times only because of the skulduggery that went on .. a law into themselves ..
Correct, Im 20k poorer. (A barrister would probably advise you that stooping to personal comment is an admission of defeat)
@Sionnachog: while you’re angry you had to pay them for their job… I see how that’s a defeat
Families are being left in the lurch waiting on cases against people who hurt their loved ones to go ahead. It’s hard to believe the government would see any political benefit in addressing these demands
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