TEL AVIV—Israel plans to impose nighttime curfews and close schools in dozens of cities and towns hit hard by the coronavirus, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces growing pressure to contain a rapid upsurge in infections.
The curfews are expected to go into effect Tuesday at 7 p.m. local time and will last until 5 a.m., according to Israeli authorities, who didn’t specify how long they will remain in place. Schools will be closed starting Wednesday in these areas, they said.
The restrictions come as Israel prepares for the Jewish New Year holidays later this month, a period of travel and social gatherings that officials fear could further spread the virus after a sharp rise in infections in recent weeks.
Mr. Netanyahu’s government initially voted to impose a full lockdown on the nine or 10 most virus-ridden cities and towns, on the recommendation of the country’s recently appointed coronavirus czar, Ronni Gamzu. Most are dominated by either ultra-Orthodox or Arab communities, who often live in the poorest and most crowded areas of the country.
But on Sunday night, Mr. Netanyahu changed tack after facing pushback from ultra-Orthodox mayors, who said their offices would refuse to comply with authorities. His government instead decided to impose an overnight curfew and close schools of about 40 cities and towns with high infection rates.
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