With 5,630 Israelis in isolation, Health Ministry says ‘go vote’

“The Health Ministry is asking to exercise its democratic right."

By MAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN, GIL HOFFMAN
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds an emergency meeting on the coronavirus epidemic. (photo credit: CHAIM TZACH/GPO)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds an emergency meeting on the coronavirus epidemic.
(photo credit: CHAIM TZACH/GPO)
"Go out and vote" is the message the Health Ministry sent to the public Sunday ahead of the March 2 election.
“The Health Ministry is asking the public to exercise its democratic right,” said Moshe Bar Siman Tov, director-general of the Health Ministry. “Everything is under control.”
The polling stations in Israel are safe from coronavirus exposure and therefore it is safe to go vote, Bar Simon Tov said in a release. People who are under quarantine have designated voting stations and will not cast their ballots at general voting stations.
Moreover, according to Bar Siman Tov, the ministry has a list of all 5,630 Israelis under quarantine and is in direct contact with them.
“A person who has signs of illness may not vote, not even at the designated coronavirus voting stations,” he said.
The Health Ministry recommended that voters pay attention to the rules of good hygiene and said that ministry representatives will be in the field to provide updates as necessary. In addition, the ministry is in contact with police to maintain public order.
At the same time, Bar Simon Tov cautioned against believing updates from anyone but the Health Ministry.
Last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that fake news about the threat of the coronavirus could be used to influence voters and sway the election. On Sunday, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz expressed concern that his political opponents would try to take advantage of fears about the coronavirus, too.
"I will not be surprised if there will be an effort that is not ethical to interfere with the election," he said. "I call on people to vote en masse anyway. I hope the health system and Central Elections Committee are ready with democratic solutions to enable those in quarantine to vote. I expect people to behave responsibly and not with hysteria."
In a speech at Airport City, Netanyahu said that Israeli citizens need to know that it is safe to vote. 

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"There will be fake news that is intended to hurt Likud," he said. "I have instructed the police to take action against those who distribute misinformation."