New question on AskTheRav.com: In a few days will be the anniversary of my entering the hospital with corona, r”l. My question is, when and how to celebrate my miraculous recovery. Three options: The day I entered the hospital, the day I returned home or when Hashem granted me the miraculous turnaround from “near falling of the cliff” to back to life? See Rabbi Yosef Yeshaya Braun‘s response • Full Story

In the latest update for Crown Heights from the Gedaliah Society in conjunction with Dr. Eli Rosen, they inform the community of a serious uptick in new Covid-19 cases over the past month and urge that everyone should exercise precautionary measures over Purim • Full Story

A new coronavirus variant that has some similarities to the South African and Brazilian variants is on the rise in New York City, researchers stated on Wednesday, according to a Reuters report • Full Story

While entry to many countries is restricted or banned altogether, Mexico is one of the only countries that can be entered with almost no restrictions, making the country a hot destination for tourism in general and events that cannot be held elsewhere in particular. Yesterday, a Chabad wedding was held on the island of Cozumel off the coast of Mexico, hosted by the Jaffe family of Manchester, UK, and the Zigelbaum family of Florida, with the participation of family members and guests • Photos

The public is asked to say Tehillim for a Chassid in Yerushalayim who is now in a serious condition due to covid-19. The name for Tehillim is Uri Aharon Ben Simcha • Tehillim

Exactly half of the 160 Israeli passengers who had intended to depart were actually able to board the Lufthansa LH690 rescue flight from Frankfurt to Israel on Tuesday evening. The rest had no choice but to stay in the airport indefinitely • Full Story

The central board of Chevrah Hatzalah has released important safety guidelines for this Purim, so that new “super-spreader” conditions should Chas V’Sholom not take place • See Advisory

As a series of preparations begin like every year at the Kosel before Pesach, a new practice was done earlier today with the workers using a syringe on the Kosel stones to prevent them from transmitting Covid-19 between the hundreds of Mispalelim that come every day • Photos

After the corona vaccine was delayed for a while from reaching the residents Crown Heights, the residents of the neighborhood were informed that this week the vaccination campaign will also begin in the Crown Heights, with a plan to vaccinate 3,000 people per day • Full Story

Israel unveiled a plan on Saturday to allow people who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus to attend cultural events, fly abroad and go to health clubs and restaurants • Full Story

NY Governor Cuomo says summer camps can plan on reopening this summer. Cuomo made the announcement at Wednesday’s press conference • Full Story

Earlier today, Chaim V’Chessed reported that Delta Airlines will become the first non-Israeli airline to be permitted to operate flights during the current flight ban • Full Story

Dozens of Lubavitcher Rabbonim and Roshei Yeshivos from across Eretz Yisroel signed a letter urging the public to go and get vaccinated as per their doctor’s instructions • Full Letter

Throughout the Corona crisis, Chaim V’Chessed has worked hand in hand with Rabbi Zvi Gluck, President of Amudim, and Rabbi Nechemya Malinowitz, Director of the Igud, on all matters relating to entry for foreigners into Israel. Now, for the first time, all three organizations have issued a Joint Travel Advisory, regarding travel during the upcoming Pesach season • Full Story

The US Department of Transportation officially complained to its Israeli counterpart after only El Al was granted an exception to continue flying into Israel despite the border closure, government sources confirmed on Thursday • Full Story

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New Yorkers with comorbidities and underlying conditions can make appointments at state-run mass vaccination sites beginning February 14, with the first appointments scheduled for February 15 • Full Story

New York City is dismissing fines on more than two dozen shuls cited for violating state restrictions while in red and orange zones, Councilman Kalman Yeger said on Wednesday afternoon, after the restrictions were ruled unconstitutional Tuesday by a federal judge • Full Story

A group of Israeli researchers have launched a Phase II study of a drug that they believe could keep patients off mechanical ventilation and speed their recovery. The trial, which is being collectively run by Ziv and Rambam medical centers with researchers from Bar-Ilan University and Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, is examining the use of a drug based on a naturally occurring peptide called angiotensin 1-7 to help counter the impact of COVID-19 on the lungs • Full Story

Chabad photographer Meir Alfasi, who is currently stuck in Costa Rica due to Israel’s flight ban, was brutally robbed by locals. Alfasi arrived at 770 for Yud Shvat a few weeks ago and then did some photography work in Costa Rica, where he was robbed and left without money, luggage, and his expensive photography equipment • Full Story

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday that New York City restaurants can bring back indoor dining on Friday, a slight move-up from the previously scheduled Sunday reopening date but a tweak that allows eateries to reap the benefits of the full Valentine’s Day weekend rather than just the holiday alone • Full Story

Following the decision to ban flights into Israel, Government officials told journalist R. Motti Tochfeld — who is assisting Anash families — that starting from Sunday night, it will be possible to submit a request to the Exceptions Committee for permission to enter Israel before the sky closes again • Full Story

As we prepare for this upcoming Purim, we can remind ourselves how this past year might have been different had we only known last Purim what we know now. We now do know, however, that Purim has the potential to be a “super-spreader” of the terrible pandemic, and are required to think of our neighbors’ and family members’ health and safety with great gravity and concern, especially as more highly infectious strains of the COVID-19 virus are proliferating • Full Story

A Tanya printing was set up in Israel in honor of Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Bukiet, a Mashpia in Kfar Chabad who is battling covid-19 and needs our Tefillos • Full Story

Following an injunction filed by the Shuls of Montreal against the government of Quebec due to tough covid-19 restrictions on houses of worship, the judge said today in a hearing that she will give a ruling on the case on Thursday or Friday • Full Story

Lubavitch journalist Mati Tuchfeld has been busy in recent days trying to help the dozens of Bochurim who are stranded in New York after traveling to 770 to spend Yud Shvat with the Rebbe and did not manage to get on a flight before Israel closed it’s skies. Yesterday, immiediately after Israel set up a committee headed by minister Yuval Steinitz to deal with exceptions to this sky closure, Tuchfeld was on the case trying to pull off a return for these Bochurim • Full Story