Israel holds concerts for vaccinated Tel Aviv residents

Israel in February began easing restrictions following a third lockdown

Last updated: March 06, 2021 | 11:33

AFP and compiled by Balaram Menon, Senior Web Editor

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Israeli musician Ivri Lider performs in front of audience, where all guests were required to show "green passport" proof of receiving a COVID-19 vaccination or full recovery from the virus at a soccer stadium in Tel Aviv.

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Hundreds of people vaccinated against COVID-19 packed a Tel Aviv football stadium for the first of four concerts organised by the municipality, as Israel eases virus restrictions.

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The 500 fans wore masks and sat in the central section of the 30,000-seat capacity Bloomfield Stadium to attend a performance by Israeli pop star Ivri Lider.

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"This is really cool. I am so happy," said Reut Gofer, as she arrived at the venue. "I hope this is the beginning of a period when we will return to our normal life," she added.

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Attendees show off their "green passes" (proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19) as they arrive at Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv.

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Israel in February began easing restrictions following a third lockdown, and has since gradually re-opened shopping malls, gyms, swimming pools, hotels and some cultural facilities.

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But in most cases, the return to normality has been reserved for people who have been fully vaccinated, under a so-called "green badge" scheme.

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Israel is among the world leaders in COVID-19 vaccinations per capita.

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More than half of the country's nine million-strong population have already received the two recommended doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine since the inoculation drive began in December.

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An attendee shows off a "green pass" (proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19) upon arrival at Bloomfield Stadium.

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"Since a majority of the population has already been vaccinated... we can finally open up our cultural and leisure activities," said Eytan Shwartz, a spokesman for the Tel Aviv municipality.

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"I hope that soon we will be able to fill up the (Bloomfield) stadium," he added.

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Israel has registered more than 796,000 cases of COVID-19, including over 5,800 deaths.

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An aerial view of people vaccinated against COVID-19 and holding a "green pass" attending a "green pass concert" for vaccinated people organised by the Tel Aviv municipality in Bloomfield Stadium.

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