- [Julie] The Western Wallopened for general prayer
after travel restrictions weredropped, but was conditioned
on keeping strict socialdistancing rules for the holy site.
In a live broadcast,
Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu said
Israel had fought the coronavirus well.
(speaking foreign language)
- [Interpreter] We haveachieved a very big success.
- [Julie] This as Israel'sSupreme Court debates
whether or not Netanyahu,who is under indictment
on several corruption charges,
can legally form a government.
Netanyahu laid out a timetable
for returning the Israeli public
to its pre-COVID-19 stateby the middle of June.
(speaking foreign language)
- [Interpreter] It's permitted to visit
your close family members.
It's permitted to visitgrandpa and grandma.
Maybe that's the most important thing.
But I'm asking you, still don't hug,
don't kiss, don't touch.
- [Julie] Other things included
dropping the travelrestrictions from one's house;
immediately opening additionalbusinesses and activities,
including libraries,hotels, and nature reserves;
two days later, opening malls,gyms, and open-air markets;
permitting gatherings of up to 20 people,
and weddings with up to 50 guests.
Israelis are still requiredto wear masks in public,
and practice social distancing.
Children from certain grades
were allowed to returnto school on Sunday.
A week earlier, in a Jerusalem hotel
that was otherwise sadly empty,Yaniv Hofi opened his salon.
- [Yaniv] It's wonderful.
We waited a long, long timeto be here and it's fun.
It's a bit hard to puton the mask all the time.
- Yeah.- You see?
But it's better than nothing.
- [Julie] At Yaniv's, as in other salons,
everyone was followingthe rules for re-opening:
masks, temperature checks,and social distancing.
Clients also had to fillout a questionnaire.
Do you have a fever or a cough?
Have you been in quarantine?
Were you tested for COVID-19, and if so,
what were the results?
Manicures happen by sticking a hand
through a plexiglass windowthat looked like a bank teller.
Natalie Cohen felt challenged
adjusting to her new equipment.
(speaking foreign language)
- [Interpreter] It's not easy.
I don't have any air.
I'm like this from the morning.
But I'm okay.
Praise God that we have work.
That's the most important thing.
- [Julie] Israel'sunemployment skyrocketed
over the last two monthsfrom just four to 26%
as the economy slowed to a crawl.
And after six weeks off,Natalie was glad to be back.
(speaking foreign language)
- [Interpreter] It's really fun.
I get up early.
I was excited.
- [Julie] She wasn't the only one.
- [Customer] 10 weekssince I've had a haircut
and I'm very happy.
- [Yaniv] At last.
- [Julie] Yaniv said it's aboutmore than just the business.
- [Yaniv] It's to meetall my amazing clients,
that I see them daily.
And it's fun.
Everybody's happy to be here.
So I enjoy not only the work,also to meet the people.
- [Julie] Julie Stahl,CBN News, Jerusalem.
