Modi'in mayor asks residents to stay at home as coronavirus spreads

Ten confirmed cases of the coronavirus have been reported in just one neighborhood in the city.

By TZVI JOFFRE
Modi'in-Maccabim-Reut (photo credit: OTTO MAGNUS/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)
Modi'in-Maccabim-Reut
(photo credit: OTTO MAGNUS/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)
The mayor of Modi'in-Maccabim-Reut, Chaim Bibas, asked residents of the city to stay at home as much as possible, as the coronavirus spread through the Avnei Hen neighborhood of the city, requiring three schools to be put into quarantine.
"All residents should try and remain in their homes, should not congregate in parks and should refrain from any excessive errands, in order to successfully prevent the spread of the virus in the neighborhoods where the situation is complex," read a statement issued on Tuesday by the Federation of Local Authorities in Israel, which Bibas chairs.
Ten confirmed cases of the coronavirus have been reported in the city. On Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that while a national lock down was not being implemented, local lock downs may be implemented as needed in areas being severely affected by the outbreak.
Three schools in the neighborhood of Avnei Hen of Modi'in-Maccabim-Reut have reported cases of the novel coronavirus as of Tuesday, with the Darchei Yehudah school being the newest one.
 
All those who were present at Darchei Yehudah on March 12, including students, staff, guests and parents, have been ordered to enter quarantine until Friday, March 27, meaning an additional 700 residents of the neighborhood will join the about 2,500 residents already in quarantine. The municipality announced that it will disinfect public institutions and areas in the affected areas.

Police cars drove through the neighborhoods announcing on loudspeakers that residents should stay in their homes while firefighters disinfect the area, although there are no poisonous materials being used.
The municipality of Modi'in-Maccabim-Reut and the Federation of Local Authorities in Israel are in constant contact with the Health Ministry and other relevant officials in order to inform residents about changing instructions. In the meantime, the municipality is preparing to provide residents in quarantine with necessary services.
According to Ynet, authorities are considering placing a lock down on the Avnei Hen neighborhood. As of Tuesday, Bibas has decided not to do so, but the possibility is still on the table.