CTech's Wednesday Roundup of Israeli Tech News

Coronavirus in Israel:

With 76 corona cases, the Israeli Ministry of Health expands restrictions. As the police sets up teams to make sure potential carriers stay at home, gatherings of over 2,000 have been forbidden. Read more

Interview | Covid-19 will not end the world, so it should not end business either, says TripActions CEO. Business travel management company TripActions, which reached a $4 billion valuation last year, is one of many companies affected by the blow to the global tourism industry caused by the spread of the pandemic. Read more

As Israel’s airlines are grounded, so is its export. Most of Israel’s imported goods comes by sea, meaning food shortages are not expected, but 60% of the country’s export is sent via passenger flights—now grounded due to coronavirus. Read more

IBM Israel moves to the work-from-home model. IBM Israel currently employs some 2,000 employees in five different sites throughout the country. Read more

The coronavirus has put Airbnb apartments back on the rental market. In light of cancellations and the absence of new bookings on short term rental sites including Airbnb, many homeowners have turned to renting out their properties for longer periods. Read more

List | Coronavirus: five reasons for optimism. Covid-19 has already spread to 115 countries and territories around the world, but not everything is bleak. Compared to the 2008 crisis, the financial system is more stable; compared to SARS, medical technology is more advanced. Read more

Expert | Coronavirus and force majeure: how are your contracts being affected? As Covid-19 spreads globally, problems with the manufacturing and supply chain have resulted in difficulties for businesses in fulfilling their contractual obligations. Read more 

In other news...

 

Microsoft Israel to set up social enterprise accelerator. Microsoft is looking for companies operating in the fields of sustainability, accessibility, humanitarian activities, cultural heritage, and the health sector. Read more

Salesforce appoints Efi Cohen to head Israel R&D center. Efi Cohen will oversee R&D sites in Tel Aviv, Petah Tikva, and Nazareth, according to the company's statement. Read more

Secured network startup Perimeter 81 raises $4.5 million. Perimeter 81 develops a private, cloud-based firewall and secured network for businesses. Read more