RAMALLAH, Friday, March 6, 2020 (WAFA) – Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh ordered today a full closure of the city of Bethlehem, south of the West Bank, where 16 cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) were confirmed so far since yesterday.

During an emergency meeting with cabinet ministers, governors and heads of security forces in Ramallah, Shtayyeh ordered a new set of precautionary measures to fight the spread of the epidemic, whose first cases in Palestine were only detected yesterday.

On top of the decisions was the creation of a central operations room that will coordinate with district-based crisis cells, in addition to a follow-up media committee to provide official updates on the crisis on a daily basis, headed by the spokesman of the government.

The prime minister also ordered a cancelation of all hotel reservations for foreign tourists in all of Palestine.

In the meantime, Shtayyeh authorized the ministers and heads of government departments to consider the necessary measures to reduce cross-district movement of civil servants.

In addition, leaves were banned for all civil servants and security forces, especially the employees of the Ministry of Health.

M.N