Israel Education Ministry has called for the cancellation of all academic classes due to the fear of the spread of the coronavirus, which would invariably see over two million students locked out of school.
The Israeli board of high school and middle school teachers stated the government has to put all academic institutions on hold to prevent the further spread of the new strain.
The Israel education ministry said schools are overcrowded and could become a breeding ground for the spread of coronavirus, and the issue must be tackled with the cancellation of classes.
The ministry added that although if enacted, the suspicion of academic activities would see over two million students grounded from schools around Israel, it was for their good.
The teachers in their letter of support with the Israel education ministry cited a recent self-quarantine order from the Health Ministry to all 1,150 students at a high school attended by a teen who contracted the virus.
Additionally, another elementary class in a different school district where a fifth-grade teacher was diagnosed with the new strain as well.
Foreign Minister Israel Katz also issued a warning that Israel is on the verge of a coronavirus outbreak that it will not be able to control. He noted that if strict measures are not put in place by the government and authorities, the epidemic might not be containable.
Effect of Israel education ministry decision
The decision by the Israel education ministry would lead to the cancellation of student Purim festivities for a holiday, the Jerusalem marathon, among other student’s activities.
In the same vein, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion announced that the Jerusalem marathon, which was scheduled for March 20, will be posted till October amid concerns over the outbreak.
He explained that the event wasn’t canceled, but was, however, postponed and will be held after the Jewish holidays in the fall.
Lion explained that the Israel government must heed the Israel education ministry and Health Ministry directives to prevent mass gatherings.
He said:
That the annual Purim street party in the Nahlaot neighborhood has been canceled. As for the rest of the events, we will do everything to ensure they are still held.
Israel coronavirus prevention strategy
The Israeli federal government, in a bid to contain the spread of the new strain, has banned entry into the country from a range of countries around the world that are being plagued by the disease.
This ban includes several in European countries, and Israel has also ordered tens of thousands of Israelis who have returned from those locations to self-quarantine for 14 days.
Notably, all Israelis returning from France, Germany, Spain, Austria, and Switzerland were instructed to enter self-quarantine for 14 days after their last day in those countries.
The foreign minister said these measures where necessitated in a bid to save lives and prevent a spread, and to prevent the isolation of Israel.
Although the US has been left off the list of countries to ban, countries such as China, Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and Italy all made a list.
