Israel: 180,000 citizens demand unemployment benefits due to coronavirus

Over the past 12 hours, more than 60,000 Israelis have registered to obtain unemployment benefits after losing their jobs, as a result of the decisions taken by the government to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. This brings the total number of people seeking financial support from the start of this month to 180,000.

Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Wednesday that 60,000 Israelis: “Have registered to obtain unemployment benefits.”

The newspaper explained that, since the beginning of March, the total number of people who applied to obtain unemployment benefits has reached 180,000. Unemployment applications are submitted to the National Insurance Institute of Israel, which is a government institution.

Tens of thousands of employees have gone on unpaid leave for at least one month, in compliance with the instructions issued by the Israeli Ministry of Health, in an attempt to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

READ: Thousands of Israeli soldiers quarantined due to coronavirus 

Thousands of employees have lost their jobs as a result of closing hotels, coffee shops and shopping centres.

The number is likely to increase if the Israeli government imposes a full-day quarantine in the country.

As of Wednesday morning, Covid-19 has infected more than 198,000 people in 167 countries and territories, nearly 8,000 of whom have died – mostly in China, Italy, Iran, Spain, South Korea, Germany, France and the US.

The coronavirus global pandemic has forced many countries to close their borders, suspend flights, cancel numerous events and prevent public gatherings, including Friday and congregational prayers.