Speaking In Radio 103 FM this morning, Prof. Zeev Rothstein, director of Hadassah hospital, criticized the government for its plan to shut Ben Gurion airport to outgoing flights."This is a huge mistake," he said. "The airport should remain open and allow for people to come and go."Rothstein added that, "Israel is way down In the list of countries in terms of how well it has dealt with this epidemic. We don't deserve a medal for the way the crisis has been handled."

Minister for Heritage & Jerusalem Affairs Rafi Peretz said this morning that in his opinion, a total lockdown is absolutely necessary."The lockdown needs to be hermetic and immediate," he said, "with no exceptions granted. We cannot accept the fact that 30 people died in a single day. The plan for synagogues is balanced, even though it still remains advisable to pray outdoors In Yom Kippur, when indoor prayer in a restricted format is permitted."

Coalition head MK Miki Zohar (Likud) has issued a threat to the MKs from the Blue & White party, warning them against opposing restrictions In protests."If Blue & White permit the continuation of protests, we will dissolve the government In the spot," he said.

The government's coronavirus czar, Prof. Ronni Gamzu, stated today that yesterday's government decision to impose a total lockdown In the whole country was taken against his wishes."My recommendation was to tighten the lockdown but not to lock down the entire country," he said. "However, the government decided otherwise, and the economic price will be immense."

A motorcyclist has skidded In Road 44 and sustained serious injuries. He has been transported to Sheba hospital for treatment.

The "Black Flags" movement that is leading the regular demonstrations against the government and prime minister has issued its own response to the government's decision to impose a total lockdown from tomorrow, reserving its condemnation for ministers from the Blue & White party."We hereby inform Benny Gantz, as well as the Justice and Foreign Ministers, that if they lend a hand to this destruction of democracy we will persecute you, demonstrate outside your homes - we will make it clear that you have turned Israel into a dictatorship. We won't accept any form of excuse for your behavior. Your names will go down in Israeli history not as heroes but as destroyers of Israel."

A travel agent and three additional people are suspected of providing falsified authorizations for people to travel abroad, attesting that they have tested negative for coronavirus.

Environmental Protection Minister Gila Gamliel held a conversation yesterday with the son of the King of Bahrain and the head of Bahrain's environmental committee.According to Gamliel, the conversation was extremely warm, and various topics related to the environment and other policies were discussed.