Israelis mark Passover in virtual isolation
Jerusalem was practically deserted just ahead of the Jewish holiday of Passover.
Typically it draws crowds of Israelis outside to burn heaps of leavened bread.
But as a stricter lockdown takes effect, there are no fires or smoke to be seen.
And Jews may only hold the traditional seder meal kicking off the festival with immediate family.
One Jerusalem man, Daniel Arusti, disposed of a paper bread box in a dumpster outside his home, instead of congregating with his ultra-Orthodox community to burn it in public.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) JEWISH MAN CELEBRATING PASSOVER
"We are all supposed to only dispose of our Chametz privately in our own homes only in a safe way and hopefully next year there will be no corona threat and we will be able to come and redo public burning of Chametz together as we should."
As an alternative, the city is collecting the bread to burn it on the city's outskirts.
The tradition marks a story in the Jewish faith about how their ancient ancestors didn't have time to prepare leavened bread before escaping slavery for the promised land.
Some localities have been finding such alternative ways to keep festive traditions alive in a month that will also see Christians celebrate Easter and Muslims marking the start of Ramadan.
