RAMALLAH, Monday, March 9, 2020 (WAFA) – Jordan and Palestine are considering closing their common borders as part of their efforts to combat the novel coronavirus, today said Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh.

Speaking at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting in Ramallah, Shtayyeh said that the two governments are in constant contact to coordinate their steps in fighting coronavirus, and that they might close the border crossing between their countries.

After talking with Jordan officials, said Shtayyeh, “we might be forced, in coordination with the Israeli side, to close the bridge (crossing) in the coming days, and hopefully we will not have to do that.”

He said that he is giving enough time for people outside to return home and those who are here and want to leave to have time to do so before the crossings are closed.

Shtayyeh said that 164 cases were tested yesterday and only one case came out positive, and that 137 cases are being tested today.

There are expectations that the virus is going to quickly spread after discovering the cases in Bethlehem last week, he said.

M.K.