No 'red' cities in Israel for first time in five months

Israel on Tuesday reopened the Taba border post with Egypt that had been closed throughout the pandemic, allowing limited numbers to cross to the Sinai peninsula for Passover holidays.

The move was the latest step towards normalcy for Israel, which has fully vaccinated more than half of its roughly 9.3 million residents against coronavirus, the world's fastest per capita pace.

The number of serious coronavirus cases, which stood at 800 at the end of last month, has fallen to 467, according to the health ministry.

Distribution of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine inIsraelbegan in December, with eligibility extended to citizens and residents over the age of 16 - some 69 per centof the 9.3 million population. People are deemed fully protected a week after receiving the second shot.

The Health Ministry said that 50.07 per centof the overall population - or 72.5 per centof the eligible population - had received both vaccine doses, while 55.96 per centof the overall population have received the first dose.

From Tuesday through April 12, 300 Israelis will be allowed through Taba on the Red Sea each day.

To cross, individuals must be inoculated or have recovered from Covid-19. A negative laboratory test is also required in both directions.

Egypt's Sinai peninsula is a popular vacation spot for Israelis, especially during the Passover break which began over the weekend, but the pandemic has forced Taba's closure since March 2020.

Israel's successful vaccination rollout has been making gains against the virus.

Israelbegan easing a nationwide lockdown in late February. Most businesses and schools, as well as airports, have gradually resumed activity - with caps on capacity. The fully vaccinated, and then around 8.7 per centofIsraelis who have recovered from COVID-19 with presumed immunity, are issued with Health Ministry "Green Pass" certificates that confer access to various leisure venues.

Israelhas seen an 85 per centdrop in daily COVID-19 deaths, a 72 per centdecrease in the critically ill and 86 per centfewer daily cases since the pandemic's third peak in mid-January, according to data scientist Eran Segal ofIsrael's Weizmann Institute of Science.