ISRAEL EASES LOCKDOWN RULES

The Israeli government voted to lift some elements of its lockdown as the number of new coronavirus cases continued to decline, according to the New York Times.

The decision, when it goes into effect, will permit Israelis to go more than 1,000 meters beyond their homes without the need for a special reason, order takeout from restaurants, visit beaches, send their children to day care centers and kindergartens, and reopen some businesses.

But other restrictions will remain in place, including bans on the opening of bars, restaurants, malls, and event halls. Elementary, middle and high schools will also remain closed.

At a news conference, Yuli Edelstein, the health minister, pointed to “encouraging data” on the spread of the virus, but he said Israelis still had “a long road” ahead of them.

When the lockdown began on Sept. 18 at the beginning of Rosh Hashana, the country’s seven-day rolling average was about 4,300 new cases, according to Our World in Data. As of Thursday, the number had fallen to about 2,500 cases.

Israel moved quickly to reopen the country in May after an earlier lockdown, throwing open the doors of schools, restaurants, bars and other gathering places. But some experts say the government moved too hastily, allowing the virus to spread out of control.

Mr. Edelstein likewise stressed that Israel would be reopened with “careful and calculated steps” in the hopes of avoiding a third lockdown.