Israel began easing movement restrictions while pointedly avoiding announcing any exit from an ongoing lockdown to forestall the spread of coronavirus, AFP reported.

A cabinet vote in the early hours of the morning approved several measures, including reopening of high street shops, schools for children with special educational needs and a resumption of small scale prayer meetings, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said.

Prayer gatherings of up to 19 people at a time will be allowed, on the condition that they take place in the open air with people wearing masks and at least two metres apart.