RAMALLAH, Thursday, December 17, 2020 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Government announced today a new set of strict nationwide measures aimed at slowing down the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic across Palestine.
Speaking at a press conference in Ramallah on Thursday evening, Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said that following a meeting with the High Emergency Committee and the Epidemiological Committee, and in accordance with the provisions of the Emergency Law, the Cabinet has decided the following measures which shall apply for the next two weeks:
1. A full closure of all public and private schools of all levels as of the morning of next Sunday, and switching to home-based e-learning as per the plans of the Ministry of Education.
2. A full closure of all universities and institutes of all levels as of the morning of next Sunday, and switching to home-based e-learning while allowing some administrative staff to arrive to their workplaces.
3. A full ban on public and private transportation between the Governorates, with the exception of medical staff, necessary supplies and food items, including to and from Jerusalem.
4. A full closure of any Governorate, village, city or refugee camp where there is a high number of COVID-19 infections.
5. Palestinian nationals of Israel are not allowed to enter the Palestinian Territories during this period.
6. Palestinians working in Israel are not allowed to commute to and from their workplaces in the West Bank on a daily basis, and are asked to find accommodation in their workplaces.
7. Concerning prayers in mosques and churches, a special protocol will apply to areas outside of lockdown times.
8. A full ban on movement of individuals and on transportation from 7 pm to 6 am every day.
9. A full ban on movement of individuals and on transportation in all the Governorates on Fridays and Saturdays as of December 12, 2020, with the exception of pharmacies and bakeries.
10. A full closure of sports clubs, barbershops, indoors recreational facilities, restaurants and cafes, while allowing delivery services.
11. Ministries and government agencies will be working at an emergency pace, and are asked to reduce the number of staff working at their premises to a maximum of 30 percent.
12. Private and civil institutions should be operating at an emergency pace, and are asked to reduce the number of active staff to no more than 30 percent.
13. Palestinian prisoners who get released from Israeli jails are asked not to hold any public celebrations upon their release.
14. Productive sectors are allowed to work with no more than 50 percent of their staff to prevent overcrowding.
15. Commercial places operate during the weekly working days according to the strictest preventive measures in terms of social distancing, wearing of masks and sterilization.
16. Weddings, funerals, and any crowds in any places are strictly prohibited, under penalty of legal responsibility and financial penalties.
17. Municipal and emergency services remain operating to serve the public.
18. Private hospitals should allocate wards to accommodate and treat COVID-19 patients.
19. Banks will be operating at an emergency pace, starting from Sunday.
20. Courts should operate at an emergency pace with the minimum possible attendance.
21. The Government will start disbursing $13 million to compensate workers for the upcoming lockdown period, and the remainder of public employees' dues will be disbursed before the end of the month.
22. Police and security agencies are required to keep concentrated monitoring of gathering places and any crowded places, and are asked to impose the most severe penalties, including financial penalties, on non-compliant individuals and institutions.
23. The Governors, emergency committees and municipalities in the Governorates are asked to activate their national and support role in protecting the lives of citizens.
24. The leaders of the security services are asked to do everything necessary to implement these decisions.
25. The Prime Minister extends his greetings to the medical and security personnel for every effort they make for the safety of our people and our country.
26. These procedures shall apply for a period of two weeks starting from the evening of December 12, 2020, and shall end on the morning of January 2, 2021.
M.N
