Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh announced yesterday that a two-week lockdown would be imposed across the West Bank as COVID-19 cases in the Occupied Palestinian Territory increase rapidly.
In his televised address, Mohammad Shtayyeh clarified that all schools and universities would be closed as of Sunday. As of tonight, the movement of private and public means of transport is prohibited in all eleven provinces of the West Bank, except those that transport medical personnel.
Stadiums and other sports venues, hair salons and restaurants will also close. All stores and government services that will remain open will operate with a capacity of 30%.
On December 7, the Palestinian Authority announced that it would impose a one-week general quarantine in four of the 11 provinces, but that measure was not enough to reduce new infections.
Due to the health condition, the Christmas service in Bethlehem, which is usually attended by hundreds of people, will be held this year without the presence of believers.
In all, 86,594 cases and 846 deaths have been reported since the start of the West Bank pandemic.
Source: ANA-MPA