Israel’s coronavirus cabinet approved another update to the “Green Pass” regulations on Sunday night in a telephone vote.
The new regulations specify that commercial facilities must operate according to a tightened “Purple Badge” protocol, as follows:
- Entry shall be permitted to malls and closed commercial facilities according the 1:15 occupancy ratio (one person per 15 square meters).
- Stores with floor space exceeding 100 square meters, will allow entry by customers according to the 1:15) occupancy ratio (one person per 15 square meters)
- Stores with floor space of less than 100 square meters, will allow entry by customers according to the 1:7) occupancy ratio (one person per seven square meters) or four customers (whichever is higher)
- Seating in mall food courts will be allowed only if the operator of the mall fences off the area and stations an usher who will check for the Green Pass as a condition of entry. Malls that do not operate in such a manner will not be permitted to offer seating in the food court; the food stalls themselves will demand presentation of a Green Pass upon purchase.
- All people in malls must wear masks.
- Mall operators will be required to post ushers on their behalf who will notify those present of the guidelines and bring to their attention the requirement to uphold these directives, including the wearing of masks.
The regulations are to take effect at midnight Monday night pending approval by the Knesset Constitution, Justice and Law Committee.
The emergency ordinance on temporarily receiving a Green Pass for 30 days from the date of the first inoculation, will be extended until Tuesday, 1 February 2022, the cabinet said, adding that the existing Green Pass regulations are to be extended until Tuesday, Feb. 1.
It is not yet clear how the updated regulations will affect business for those in the malls.