Israel had started to exempt immunized people from quarantine, but as part of all-out bid to stop the spread of virus variants, government is now ‘reevaluating whole issue'

Schools open in Bnei Brak, Jerusalem despite increased fines; Finance Minister Katz calls for commerce to restart as soon as lockdown ends

At late-night cabinet meeting, Netanyahu and Gantz spar over rules before reaching compromise on prolonging the nationwide closure, already in its 4th week

But Sharon Alroy-Preis says no evidence any of the variants can bypass inoculation; nearly 3 million Israelis received first shot, with 1.7 million getting both doses

Official tells TV serious cases appear to be going down; 2-month-old infant with health condition dies after contracting COVID-19

Baby was born with complicated condition, underwent surgery; not clear whether COVID-19 considered the chief cause of his death

Israel's surge in vaccinations means recent emigrants could get immunized sooner by flying home than staying put, but logistical hurdles make it near-impossible to achieve

Early data shows the shot is 86% effective against UK mutation, only around 60% capable of fighting South African strain

Calming worldwide fears of COVID-19 variants, inoculation firms 'prepared to respond' if adaptation required

Multiple strains are circulating, but health experts are primarily concerned with the emergence of variants first detected in the UK, South Africa and Brazil