The Prime Minister of Israel Naftali Bennett has made a personal appeal to the Israeli public to observe all the new regulations and to protect people over the age of 60 from contracting the Delta variant of the Coronavirus. He also reassured the Israeli public that the country has the necessary supply of Pfizer vaccines for third vaccinations.
In the past week, Israel has taken a number of measures in an effort to stem the spread of the Coronavirus Delta Variant. The country has re-imposed mask mandates indoors and at large outdoor gatherings. The government has sent 50% of all public employees back to working from home and called on the private sector to take similar measures.
In addition, 18 more countries have been added to the Red List: the list of countries where Israelis are prohibited from traveling to because of high rates of Covid infection. The U.S. came very close to be adding to the list as well. Israeli cabinet ministers have been warning the public that a complete closure of the country may need to be imposed over the Jewish holidays in September if the situation does not improve.
This is the backdrop for Naftali Bennett’s comments today.
Bennet released a statement this morning telling all Israelis over the age of 60 that those among them who have not been vaccinated yet against the Coronavirus will have six times the likelihood of becoming infected by the Delta variant in the coming weeks. That is as compared to those people who have already received their third vaccination.
He stressed that it takes five days for the booster shot to take effect.
“I want to emphasize once again – those who are 60 years old and older and have not yet been vaccinated with the third vaccine, are about 6 times more exposed to a serious illness, and God forbid, die,” exclaimed Bennet.
The Prime Minister urged people at risk not to go out to crowded places, not to be with people who might be verified as infected. He told people that if they go to see their grandchildren then only to do so outside, in the open air, with masks.
“We need to get through these two weeks until you are vaccinated,” said Bennett. “I ask to pass the message on to the family, to take care of grandparents, the parents. Together, we will definitely overcome the Delta epidemic.”
As for the nation’s supply of Coronavirus vaccinations, Bennett said that it is sufficient, both for the present and for future needs. A number of shipments have arrived in recent days, Bennett explained and will continue to come into the country in the future.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that he is in constant contact with the CEO of Pfizer, and so are the Minister of Health and senior officials in his office.
“There is no fear of a shortage of vaccines,” said Bennett. “For reasons of confidentiality, the exact number of vaccines is not published. Israeli citizens who have not been vaccinated should go and get vaccinated. There are vaccinations enough for everyone.”
“We will defeat the Delta [variant] only if the rate of immunization outweighs the rate at which the epidemic spreads,” added the Prime Minister.
