Israel is set to enter a second coronavirus lockdown and become the only developed country to shut down again nationwide, after a botched reopening of the economy sent infections soaring. The plan is subject to the final approval of the full cabinet on Sunday and faces opposition from some ministers. The inner cabinet took the extraordinary step after watching daily cases rise from five in late May to more than 4,000 this week. A monthlong lockdown would cost the Israeli economy about 15 billion shekels ($4.4 billion), the Finance Ministry’s chief economist estimated Thursday. Israel returned to normal life with an abandonment of caution that allowed cases and deaths to climb steadily.

Source: Mint September 11, 2020 13:18 UTC