Israel: A statewide drill began on Thursday to test the country’s readiness in the case of an outbreak of a new, more dangerous Covid-19 type. The exercise will test the resilience of systems that determine lockdown policies, monitor variants, provide economic assistance to citizens, enforce quarantines, and monitor border crossings. It will be war-gamed over three sessions to simulate the passage of time after a potential flare-up. “While the global situation with the coronavirus is developing, Israel is safe and protected,” stated Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in a statement.
We must continue to attentively watch the situation and prepare for any eventuality in order to sustain this and ensure the continuation of regular living.” The number of very ill Israelis infected with Covid-19 has reduced from approximately 700 at the end of August to 149 on November 10th, while daily new infections have dropped from around 10,000 to a little over 500. It’s also getting ready to vaccinate children aged 5 to 11 against Covid-19. The exercise will take the shape of a wargame and will include a senior-level, inter-organizational simulation that will test national management of a new strain, the ‘Omega,’ that has yet to be detected in Israel.
Throughout the stages of the exercise, the drill will cover a variety of topics and will put professional systems to the test in harsh scenarios. Local or regional lockdowns/curfews, limits policy, and adoption of defined regulations are all legal considerations. Aspects of the economy: assisting the national effort, providing economic assistance to the citizenry. Quarantine enforcement and regulatory enforcement are two facets of public security. The educational system: class sizes are being reduced, schools in outbreak areas are being closed, and education plans are being changed. Departure and arrival policies at international airports and border crossings: Departure and arrival policy. Public diplomacy and media: Informing the public and increasing transparency, responding to discourse on the internet, simulating the National Public Diplomacy Directorate.