Israel locks down ultra-Orthodox town over coronavirus

Israel has set up roadblocks to seal off an ultra-Orthodox Jewish town due to its high rate of coronavirus cases, ordering in soldiers to support the residents.

The development came on Friday morning, hours after emergency regulations approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet declared Bnei Brak, near Tel Aviv, a “restricted zone”.

The new designation allows authorities to tighten curbs on public movement.

Police units, wearing surgical masks and gloves, moved swiftly early on Friday to cordon off important intersections around the town and enforce the new rules.

“Bnei Brak is on lockdown, as of this morning, and police will prevent any movements in or out of the city,” police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said. “People are only allowed in or out for medical reasons or medical support.”

Netanyahu’s office later said the military would help the town council provide services to citizens, but not help to enforce the closure.

The army said it would provide food, medicine, and any other assistance that was needed.

Israel has confirmed at least 36 deaths linked to the coronavirus and more than 7,000 infections – but medical experts estimate that as many as 75,000 people or 38 percent of Bnei Brak’s 200,000 residents are infected.

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