JERUSALEM: Israelis stepped into the streets without masks on Sunday (Apr 18) for the first time in a year, a key milestone as the country vaccinates its way out of a coronavirus nightmare. "It's very strange but it's very nice," said Eliana Gamulka, 26, after getting off a bus near the busy Jerusalem shopping boulevard of Jaffa Street and removing her face covering. "You can't pretend that you don't know anyone any more," she smiled. With over half the population fully vaccinated in one of the world's fastest anti-COVID 19 inoculation campaigns, the health ministry announced on Thursday that masks would no longer be required in public outdoor spaces. For Gamulka, a project manager, the good news came at the perfect time - just two weeks before her wedding. It will be "very nice to celebrate with everyone, now without masks", she said. "The pictures will be great! I'm very relieved. We can start living again." The vaccination of close to five million people has sent ... » Learn More about Masks come off as Israel vaunts COVID-19 victory