{"id":114201,"date":"2021-02-24T20:48:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-24T20:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/?p=114201"},"modified":"2021-02-24T20:48:00","modified_gmt":"2021-02-24T20:48:00","slug":"new-normal-green-pass-opens-music-concert-to-vaccinated-israelis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/markets\/new-normal-green-pass-opens-music-concert-to-vaccinated-israelis\/","title":{"rendered":"New normal? 'Green Pass' opens music concert to vaccinated Israelis"},"content":{"rendered":"
TEL AVIV (Reuters) – It was an event that could set a precedent in a world longing for a return to normal – a music concert attended by scores of Israelis vaccinated against COVID-19.<\/p> The open-air concert in Tel Aviv on Wednesday was one of the first in a programme to restart cultural events by restricting attendance to people who have been vaccinated or those with immunity after contracting the disease.<\/p>\n Attendees were required to show a \u201cGreen Pass\u201d, a government-validated certificate showing they had received both doses of the vaccine more than a week prior to the event or that they had recovered from COVID-19 and were presumed immune.<\/p>\n The passes are valid for six months from the time of full vaccination.<\/p>\n \u201cIt provides protection, but also a feeling of comfort to sit among people who are vaccinated,\u201d said Doron Zicher, a retired businessman who was preparing to watch Israeli singer Nurit Galron perform at dusk in Yarkon Park.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter a year staying at home in a sort of isolated environment it feels great to go out and experience public shows and activities.\u201d<\/p>\n Israel launched the pass scheme at the weekend as it reopened its economy. Nearly half of Israelis have received the first of two required doses.<\/p>\n Gyms, swimming pools, theatres and hotels are open to pass-holders only. Once inside, strict caps on occupancy and social distancing requirements are enforced.<\/p>\n Such programmes are likely to be scrutinised by other countries looking to reopen for business as their own populations undergo mass vaccination.<\/p>\n Health officials in Israel, which has led the world with its fast roll-out using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, hope the scheme will act as an incentive for vaccine sceptics.<\/p>\n Israeli studies have shown the Pfizer vaccine reduces transmission of the virus.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I need to go to a cultural place where they don\u2019t ask for the green passport I wouldn\u2019t go,\u201d said Michal Porat, 66. \u201cI want to know and to be sure that all the people that are next to me are already immune and vaccinated, and I wouldn\u2019t trust people who are not.\u201d<\/p>\n