Israel’s lockdown extended to Friday

In a last-minute compromise, the Israeli cabinet beat the Sunday midnight deadline for the current lockdown’s expiry by moments and approved its extension for another five days up until Friday at 7 a.m. The ministers will reconvene on Wednesday to discuss a further extension and map out an exit strategy. The government also approved the closure of the international airport and other entry points for another seven days up until next Sunday at midnight. A special committee was set up to approve exceptions in special cases. All new arrivals from any foreign country will be sent into quarantine at state-run hotels.