Until recently, Israel was touted as the model for the world for Covid-19 vaccination. It was also said that Israel is probably the first country to have herd immunity as it has vaccinated a majority of its population long before other countries.

But a slew of coronavirus cases related to the Delta variant has the country's government worried. Of late, Israel has been witnessing more than 1000 new cases per day. Even those with two doses of vaccine are turning positive. Questions are also being raised on the efficacy of the vaccines. [https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/22/israel-to-reimpose-covid-health-pass-as-delta-variant-hits]

According to news reports in Israel, a new study in the country has indicated that on average, the Pfizer shot — the vaccine given to nearly all Israelis — is now just 39% effective against infection, while being only 41% effective in preventing symptomatic COVID. Previously, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was well over 90% effective against infection. [https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-uk-data-offer-mixed-signals-on-vaccines-potency-against-delta-strain/]

For the last one month, Israel has seen a consistent rise in positive cases. The country recorded over 1400 new cases, the highest for a day since March.

Around 60% of the nation’s entire population of 9.3 million has got at least one dose of the vaccine. Over 85% of the adults are vaccinated. These figures are notable compared to other countries globally, but the virulence with which the Delta variant is infecting people seemed to have forced the Israel government to announce precautionary measures. [https://www.deseret.com/coronavirus/2021/7/20/22584134/whats-going-on-in-israels-outbreak-among-vaccinated-people]

A decision has been taken to err on the side of caution across Israel. New restrictions are in place, including barring entry into places like restaurants and other places without masks, people being fined if they can't produce proof of immunity, and others. There also can't be events with more than 100 people in indoor events, such as conference venues, banquet halls, and others. Social distancing and quarantining of people coming from abroad are also back.

The "Green Pass" has been made mandatory for all indoor events. It was only a month back that Israel lifted almost all coronavirus-related.


Read more:

The virus returns?
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/no-masks-no-entry-israel-imposes-new-covid-regulations-1.10016293

Why the need for 'green passes':
https://www.forbes.com/sites/carlieporterfield/2021/07/22/israel-and-italy-announce-green-passes-amid-surge-in-delta-cases/?sh=210809145506

Israel's famed Covid-19 vaccination success story:
https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20210312.994210/full/