The Home Front Command has announced that it is expanding the areas where studies can be held, providing much-needed relief for students and educators. The new instructions allow for educational activities to take place in the Sharon and Judea and Samaria regions, as well as in the vicinity of a protected area in the Central Negev and Kish regions. However, certain areas such as Ashdod, Bnei Ish, and Gan Yavneh are excluded from these new guidelines.
With this update, the Ministry of Education is now preparing for the return of over 2 million students to the education system. They are hopeful that this will bring about a return to a regular learning routine in educational settings.
The new instructions are effective from Sunday, October 22, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., until Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. This gives students and teachers ample time to adjust to the new guidelines and prepare for a safe and productive learning environment.
To ensure compliance with the guidelines, the Home Front Command has provided a breakdown of the different zones and the activities allowed in each.
In the Orange zone, which includes areas surrounding Gaza, West Negev, West Lakish, Ashdod, Gan Yavne, and Bnei Aish, educational activities are not allowed. However, gatherings and services can be held with a limit of up to 10 people in an open area and up to 50 people in a building. Workplaces can operate if they are located within a standard protected area during self-defense.
The Yellow zone allows for partial activity in specific areas such as the conflict line, Golan North, settlements of the Golan Regional Council, and Katsrin. In this zone, educational activities can only take place within a standard protected space, without students moving between settlements. Gatherings and services are allowed with limitations of up to 30 people in an open area and up to 300 people in a building.
The second Yellow zone includes areas like Yarkon, Shefala, Dan, Yehuda lowlands, Jerusalem, Negev center, Lachish, and the settlement of Maale Adumim. In this zone, educational activities can be held in a place that can reach a standard protected space during defense. Gatherings and services have the same restrictions as the previous zone.
Moving on to the Green zone, which includes the Gulf, the center of the Galilee, the Lower Galilee, the Upper Galilee, and the settlements of the Jordan Valley Regional Council, full activity is allowed. Educational activities can take place in a place with access to a standard protected space, without any restrictions on gatherings and services. Jobs can be operated without limitations.
The second Green zone permits full activity in areas such as Eilat, Arava, Southern Negev, Beit Shan Valley, The Valleys, Wadi Ara, Menashe, The Carmel, Sharon, Yehuda (except Ma’ale Adumim), Samaria, the Dead Sea, and the Valley. In this zone, educational activities can be held without restrictions, gatherings can accommodate up to 1,000 people, and jobs can operate without any limitations.
These updated guidelines aim to ensure the safety and well-being of students, teachers, and the public while gradually returning to a more normal educational routine. As the situation continues to evolve, the Home Front Command will closely monitor and update the instructions accordingly.
It is crucial for students, parents, and educators to familiarize themselves with the guidelines and follow them diligently to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and ensure a successful learning environment.