Health Ministry worried over parties that will drive up virus cases; Edelstein pushes back against cities planning to defy government and open school for grades 7-10

Officials are concerned parties will be held in violation of limitations on public gatherings, driving up COVID-19 cases

81-year-old Effie Hertzke, a retired nurse, jokes with Channel 12 about her fitness as she's interviewed on treadmill

Shoppers largely adhere to health guidelines, though some fail to maintain social distancing; virus czar warns not to 'behave however you want'; transmission rate falls to 0.79

Shops and some leisure activities are back in business, though many are only open to vaccinated customers

Health Ministry site to issue pass remains down hours before new system set to start; pass will give vaccinated and recovered Israelis access to sport, culture and hotels

People who came into contact with virus carriers in early February missed isolation period because ministry made a mistake updating software, report says

'Green Pass' will allow vaccinated and recovered access to sport and culture events; health minister said to warn he will shut economy down again if Israelis flout new system

Country's borders will remain closed until March 6, except for urgent reasons; 6 special flights will arrive from Ethiopia, France, Russia, Ukraine and South America

Synagogues reopen ahead of Purim holiday, larger groups allowed; grades 7-10 to remain at home; airport, borders to stay mostly closed