Number of quarantined medical workers doubles in a week, reaches highest level in 2 months; taskforce says restrictions will likely be reimposed by end of month

Plan recommends opening additional check-in, passport control counters; limiting the number of planes allowed to disembark at the same time; dividing passengers into groups

Transportation, health ministries to look at ways of reducing excessive crowding of passengers as they arrive and depart

Change of policy comes as health officials warn that 10,000 Israelis returning from UAE could fan wider outbreak

Health Ministry chief hopeful 1st shot of Pfizer's vaccine will be given next week; daily average of new infections rises over past week, with ultra-Orthodox community seeing surge

Report says HMOs tell Health Ministry they can begin immunizing Israelis on December 20; ministry head signals Pfizer's vaccine will receive Israeli approval in coming days

FDA gives final go-ahead for nation's first inoculation in major turning point against virus; Israel expected to follow US lead on approval, has purchased millions of doses

Infections continue to trend upwards while Israel prepares for major inoculation project later this month

TV report says proposal mulled by Health Ministry will limit access to flights, public venues; vaccine may be made available to all quickly, rather than according to risk groups

Instead, ministers said to agree that when daily caseload hits 2,500 or basic reproduction rate climbs to 1.32, businesses will be shuttered and schools in virus hotspots closed