Drone captures start of second Israel lockdown

Israel entered a second nationwide lockdown on Friday (September 18) which coincided with the start of the season of Jewish high-holy days.

Residents have been told to stay mostly at home for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, traditionally seen as a time for families to gather.

Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld.

“More than 7000 police officers involved in implementing health measures, preventing movement of up to one kilometer and these rules and regulations will continue until the 11th of the month in another three weeks time in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 across the country."

The country's initial lockdown was imposed in late March and eased in May as new coronavirus cases tapered off, reaching low single digit numbers.

But in the past week, new cases have reached daily highs of over 5,000, and Israeli leaders now acknowledge that they lifted measures too soon.

The move to reimpose sweeping restrictions at this time has drawn anger from many residents already struggling because of an economic downturn.

Under the new rules, Israelis must stay within 1000 meters of home, with only a few exceptions including commuting to work.

Social distancing and limits on the number of attendees allowed at usually packed synagogues will also affect Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement.

That festival begins at sunset on September 27.