A nationwide lockdown in Israel is to take effect on Friday, September 18, 2020, from 2 p.m., to last for at least 14 days, (the restrictions may be extended, in full or in part, as determined by the Israeli government). While the regulations are currently pending final approval by the Knesset’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, they are expected to be enacted late tonight or early tomorrow.

As part of the lockdown regulations, individuals will generally be required to stay within a distance of 500 meters from their places of residence.

Despite the lockdown restrictions, private-sector workplaces not generally open to the public (such as company offices) may continue to operate without restriction on the number of employees in the workplace, subject to compliance with the COVID-19-related workplace health and safety regulations currently in place. As such, employees and candidates for employment will be permitted to leave the 500-meter perimeter in order to travel to and from the workplace.

Please also note the National Insurance Institute guidelines regarding unemployment benefits for employees who have been furloughed or dismissed from work due to the COVID-19 pandemic:

• Employees dismissed from their jobs or furloughed for a minimum of 14 days, and who were employed for at least six out of the past 18 months, are eligible for unemployment benefits.
• Employees who previously received unemployment because of a prior furlough or dismissal will still be eligible for unemployment benefits should they be furloughed (for a minimum of 14 days) or dismissed again.