With an alarming increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the country, a nationwide lockdown has bene reimposed in Israel for the third time in this pandemic year.

Voicing a tone of optimism and hope, Israel's&nbsp;Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a "world record" vaccination will bring things back to normal within weeks, but urged people to stay indoors till the point of normal is reached.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-to-inoculate-quarter-of-its-population-against-coronavirus-in-a-month-says-netanyahu-352705">Israel to inoculate quarter of its population against coronavirus in a month, says Netanyahu</a>

The country went into a third nationwide lockdown to limit the transmission by following strict regulations that have previously, too, helped the country bounce back to near-normal conditions.

Starting from 5 pm on Sunday, people will not be allowed to step out of their houses unless they are seeking&nbsp;medical care, attending legal proceedings, going to school or exercising.&nbsp;

Unlike last time, the Israel government has decided to keep the schools open amid this lockdown. However, children under the age of six, students in grade one to four and teenagers finishing secondary school in grades 11 and 12 will only be allowed to attend the school physically. Grades five to 10 will stay closed and continue with virtual classes.

Also read|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-announces-third-nationwide-virus-lockdown-352002">&nbsp;Israel announces third nationwide virus lockdown</a>

The decision to keep&nbsp;grades five through 10 home has attracted criticism from experts who believe this decision will negatively affect the emotional and mental wellbeing of these teenagers.

"The decision to ignore this age bracket means the abandonment of hundreds of thousands of children, only because in theory they can be left at home alone while (their parents) go to work," NCC head Vered Windman was quoted by a local newspaper. "But this is precisely the age group that is at a higher risk of developing emotional difficulties, fears and isolation."

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister, on Saturday after&nbsp;Shabbat, told the masses he has personally spoken to head of companies developing the coronavirus vaccine and has been assured that the companies will be able to provide the requisite number of doses to Israel.

Appreciating the efforts of the local officials for starting the vaccine drive, he said the targets set by the country's administration for vaccination drive of "such a magnitude (they amount to) a world record".

With an alarming increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the country, a nationwide lockdown has bene reimposed in Israel for the third time in this pandemic year.

With an alarming increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the country, a nationwide lockdown has bene reimposed in Israel for the third time in this pandemic year. Voicing a tone of optimism and hope, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a "world record" vaccination will bring things back to normal within weeks, but urged people to stay indoors till the point of normal is reached. Also read| Israel to inoculate quarter of its population against coronavirus in a month, says Netanyahu The country went into a third nationwide lockdown to limit the transmission by following strict regulations that have previously, too, helped the country bounce back to near-normal conditions. Starting from 5 pm on Sunday, people will not be allowed to step out of their houses unless they are seeking medical care, attending legal proceedings, going to school or exercising. Unlike last time, the Israel government has decided to keep the schools open amid this lockdown. However, children under the age of six, students in grade one to four and teenagers finishing secondary school in grades 11 and 12 will only be allowed to attend the school physically. Grades five to 10 will stay closed and continue with virtual classes. Also read| Israel announces third nationwide virus lockdown The decision to keep grades five through 10 home has attracted criticism from experts who believe this decision will negatively affect the emotional and mental wellbeing of these teenagers. "The decision to ignore this age bracket means the abandonment of hundreds of thousands of children, only because in theory they can be left at home alone while (their parents) go to work," NCC head Vered Windman was quoted by a local newspaper. "But this is precisely the age group that is at a higher risk of developing emotional difficulties, fears and isolation." Meanwhile, the Prime Minister, on Saturday after Shabbat, told the masses he has personally spoken to head of companies developing the coronavirus vaccine and has been assured that the companies will be able to provide the requisite number of doses to Israel. Appreciating the efforts of the local officials for starting the vaccine drive, he said the targets set by the country's administration for vaccination drive of "such a magnitude (they amount to) a world record".

Israel enters third nationwide lockdown; PM hopes for 'world record' of vaccinated people

Israel's health ministry said on Thursday that it had detected four new cases of the&nbsp;strain of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/london-emerges-as-new-hotspot-in-uk-1-in-85-people-infected-352089">coronavirus </a>that had emerged from South Africa and reported in England as it announced third national lockdown this year to combat the virus.

Watch:

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The government has moved to ban foreign nationals arriving from Britain, South Africa and Denmark. The health authorities also imposed mandatory quarantine for all arrivals from abroad.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed citizens that a new lockdown will be imposed from Sunday lasting two weeks.

"There is an option to extend the lockdown for an additional two weeks unless the basic reproduction number (for the virus) falls below 1 and the number of new cases per day falls below 1,000," PM &nbsp;Netanyahu said even as the country began its vaccination drive.

The lockdown can be extended with final cabinet approval. Israel 385,000 coronavirus cases and 3,150 fatalities. The new lockdown measures include the closure of shops, partial lockdown of schools with people allowed to travel just one kilometre from their home.

Businesses have also ordered to be closed except for deliveries. Israel had lockdown last in September as cases dipped, however, it has the number of COVID-19 cases has been rising in the past month with the country recording the highest per capita infection rate in the world.

The restrictions include not more than ten people to be present in places of worship and in closed places with a hundred people allowed to congregate in open areas.&nbsp;

The new lockdown measures come even as the country prepares for another <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-election-take-four-conservatives-vs-conservatives-352064">election</a> for the fourth time in two years amid public anger over Netanyahu's handling of the coronavirus crisis.

Israel's health ministry said on Thursday that it had detected four new cases of the strain of coronavirus that had emerged from South Africa and reported in England as it announced third national lockdown this year to combat the virus.

Israel's health ministry said on Thursday that it had detected four new cases of the strain of coronavirus that had emerged from South Africa and reported in England as it announced third national lockdown this year to combat the virus. Watch: The government has moved to ban foreign nationals arriving from Britain, South Africa and Denmark. The health authorities also imposed mandatory quarantine for all arrivals from abroad. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed citizens that a new lockdown will be imposed from Sunday lasting two weeks. "There is an option to extend the lockdown for an additional two weeks unless the basic reproduction number (for the virus) falls below 1 and the number of new cases per day falls below 1,000," PM Netanyahu said even as the country began its vaccination drive. The lockdown can be extended with final cabinet approval. Israel 385,000 coronavirus cases and 3,150 fatalities. The new lockdown measures include the closure of shops, partial lockdown of schools with people allowed to travel just one kilometre from their home. Businesses have also ordered to be closed except for deliveries. Israel had lockdown last in September as cases dipped, however, it has the number of COVID-19 cases has been rising in the past month with the country recording the highest per capita infection rate in the world. The restrictions include not more than ten people to be present in places of worship and in closed places with a hundred people allowed to congregate in open areas. The new lockdown measures come even as the country prepares for another election for the fourth time in two years amid public anger over Netanyahu's handling of the coronavirus crisis.

Israel imposes another lockdown after detecting new COVID-19 strain

Protesters took to the streets in Israel over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's move to limit demonstrations due to the coronavirus pandemic.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-continues-protesting-against-netanyahus-coronavirus-restrictions-332340">Also Read:&nbsp;Israel continues protesting against Netanyahu's coronavirus restrictions</a>

The protesters hit out against the government's handling of the coronavirus crisis even as a new law recently approved by Parliament banned citizens from holding demonstrations more than 1 km from their homes amid strict coronavirus restrictions.

Large scale protests were witnessed in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem with scattered demonstrations elsewhere in the country. Isreal reportedly has one of the world's highest coronavirus infection rates per capita as the country struggles to fight the second wave of infections.&nbsp;

Israel currently has 280,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and over 1,900 fatalities.

The protesters clashed with police in some areas with placards “Bibi, you are destroying my future” and "Go away" as police said the demonstrators were not observing social distancing norms and were putting others at risk as protests&nbsp;swelled in the Israeli capital Tel Aviv.

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Police claimed the march was "illegal" as protesters took the main streets in thousands despite COVID-19 restrictions in place. Reports said the protesters broke through a barricade in Tel Aviv hurting several cops.

Reports claimed&nbsp;some tried to protest in front of Netanyahu’s private residence but were resisted by police action.

Anti-Netanyahu protests have been going on since July to denounce the Israeli prime minister's handling of the virus and the economy.

Protesters took to the streets in Israel over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's move to limit demonstrations due to the coronavirus pandemic. Also Read: Israel continues protesting against Netanyahu's coronavirus restrictions The protesters hit out against the government's handling of the coronavirus crisis even as a new law recently approved by Parliament banned citizens from holding demonstrations more than 1 km from their homes amid strict coronavirus restrictions.

Protesters took to the streets in Israel over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's move to limit demonstrations due to the coronavirus pandemic. Also Read: Israel continues protesting against Netanyahu's coronavirus restrictions The protesters hit out against the government's handling of the coronavirus crisis even as a new law recently approved by Parliament banned citizens from holding demonstrations more than 1 km from their homes amid strict coronavirus restrictions. Large scale protests were witnessed in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem with scattered demonstrations elsewhere in the country. Isreal reportedly has one of the world's highest coronavirus infection rates per capita as the country struggles to fight the second wave of infections. Israel currently has 280,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and over 1,900 fatalities. The protesters clashed with police in some areas with placards “Bibi, you are destroying my future” and "Go away" as police said the demonstrators were not observing social distancing norms and were putting others at risk as protests swelled in the Israeli capital Tel Aviv. Police claimed the march was "illegal" as protesters took the main streets in thousands despite COVID-19 restrictions in place. Reports said the protesters broke through a barricade in Tel Aviv hurting several cops. Reports claimed some tried to protest in front of Netanyahu’s private residence but were resisted by police action. Anti-Netanyahu protests have been going on since July to denounce the Israeli prime minister's handling of the virus and the economy.

Anti-Netanyahu protests erupt in Israel amid coronavirus restrictions

Israel is gradually reopening of school as a step towards giving relaxations in lockdown. Schools in Israel open for the first time in seven weeks. Watch report.

COVID-19 Pandemic: Schools reopen in Israel on Sunday, All students required to wear masks