Israel to tighten COVID-19 lockdown in 'final effort' amid vaccine rollout

A medical worker tests a woman for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) during Israel's third national lockdown to fight coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections in Jerusalem January 5, 2021. REUTERS/Ammar Awad

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Israel will tighten an ongoing nationwide lockdown to curb a sharp rise in new COVID-19 cases, a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Tuesday.

The stricter lockdown - to take effect at midnight between Thursday and Friday and last 14 days - will constitute "one final effort" as the country presses ahead with its rapid vaccine rollout, Netanyahu said.