JERUSALEM: In ordinary times Yom Kippur brings much of Israel to a standstill, as businesses close and roads empty for the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
But the world has looked very different this year, so deserted highways in city centers have become something of a familiar sight, even on days other than religious holidays when.
Israel entered its second-wave lockdown on Sept. 18 after a surge of new cases had hospitals worrying about the strain on admissions. The country of nine million people has logged at least 1,441 deaths from COVID-19.
Health ministry directives that prayers be held in small, socially-distanced groups outdoors spelled an effective shutdown order for many synagogues, the first widespread curbs on the houses of worship during Yom Kippur since Israel’s founding in 1948, according to a spokesman for the Chief Rabbinate.
“At this period of atonement and forgiveness, I would like to ask this of all citizens of Israel,” the head of the pandemic taskforce, Ronni Gamzu, said in a letter quoted by Israeli media.
“And my apologies to everyone in Israel — security, traditional, religious or ultra-religious — for the holiday period that will be constrained this year.”
Closures were also imposed on entry and exit from the occupied Palestinian Territories, as during most Israeli holidays.
Israel doubly deserted on Yom Kippur during holiday and COVID-19 lockdown
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Israel doubly deserted on Yom Kippur during holiday and COVID-19 lockdown
- Israel entered its second-wave lockdown on Sept. 18 after a surge of new cases had hospitals worrying about the strain on admissions
- The country of nine million people has logged at least 1,441 deaths from COVID-19
Morocco deploys army to help evacuate thousands after floods
- More than 20,000 people had been moved to shelter and camps by Saturday
- Authorities set up sandbags and temporary barriers in flood-prone districts as waters began to recede
RABAT: Morocco has deployed army rescue units to help with the evacuation of thousands of people after floods triggered by torrential rains and rising river levels hit parts of the country’s northwest, state TV reported on Saturday.
Weeks of heavy rainfall, combined with water releases from a nearly full dam nearby, increased water levels in the Loukous River and flooded several neighborhoods in the city of Ksar Kbir, about 190 km (118 miles) north of the capital Rabat, a national flood follow-up committee said.
More than 20,000 people had been moved to shelter and camps by Saturday, official media reported.
Authorities set up sandbags and temporary barriers in flood-prone districts as waters began to recede.
Schools in Ksar Kbir have been ordered to remain closed until February 7 as a precaution.
In the nearby province of Sidi Kacem, the Sebou River’s rising levels prompted evacuations from several villages as authorities raised vigilance levels.
The abundant rainfall ended a seven-year drought that drove the country to invest heavily in desalination plants.
The average dam-filling rate has risen to 60 percent, with several major reservoirs reaching full capacity, according to official data.
Last month, 37 people were killed in flash floods in the Atlantic coastal city of Safi, south of Rabat.
