OREANDA-NEWS. Israel is returning from Friday to wearing masks in an enclosed space due to an increase in coronavirus cases. This is stated in a statement by the Ministry of Health.

Earlier this week, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett urged citizens to refrain from traveling abroad amid the spread of the Delta strain, noting that this is not a requirement, but just a request.

"In connection with the increase in the incidence from 12.00 today, the obligation to wear masks is introduced everywhere, with the exception of open spaces," the statement said.

An exception to this rule is children under 7 years old, and masks can also not be worn during sports.

Almost all quarantine restrictions due to the coronavirus in Israel were lifted from June 1, in particular, restrictions on the number of people indoors and outdoors were lifted. Since June 15, citizens have been allowed to stop wearing masks indoors.

Mass vaccination of the population against COVID-19 began in Israel on December 20 last year. On January 10, the vaccinated began to receive the second dose.

Also on June 24, it became known that the opening of the borders by Israel for vaccinated foreign tourists arriving in the country on an individual basis, it was decided to postpone. This was announced by the office of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

"The ban on foreigners in permission to enter Israel for tourism purposes will be extended by one month - until August 1," the Prime Minister's office said in a statement. The restriction does not apply to groups of vaccinated travelers from low-incidence countries who visit the country from the end of May.