Covered Part of Kosel Plaza Closed Due to Coronavirus

The covered part of the Kosel Plaza was locked Monday afternoon, adding to measures that the Kosel authorities have taken to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Earlier, the Kosel Plaza was roped off into areas for just 10 mispallelim each.

Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Rav of the Kosel, said on Monday that people should refrain from kissing the stones of the Kosel.

Mispallelim should maintain “proper distance” between one another and “abide by required hygiene practices,” he said.

Otherwise, Kosel officials were overseeing ongoing activities in accordance with Health Ministry regulations.

Hundreds of mispallelim came to the Kosel on Monday morning for Shacharis and made sure to maintain proper distance between groups.

Dozens of bar mitzvah events took place; families have greatly limited the number of participants per event, to reduce the danger of spreading the virus, according to a statement from the Western Wall Heritage Foundation.