Bethlehem: The city of Bethlehem was on lockdown on Friday, after the first Palestinian cases of the deadly coronavirus were discovered. The Palestinian government announced a month-long state of emergency after the seven cases were identified.
While the Israeli defence ministry said it had imposed emergency measures on Bethlehem, with all people forbidden from entering or leaving the city. It added that the lockdown had been imposed in coordination with the Palestinian Authority.
The Church of the Nativity, built on the site that Christians believe was the birthplace of Jesus, was closed on Thursday and is among places expected to be shuttered for a month.
All but essential travel between Palestinian government offices was now prohibited, while all schools and educational facilities would remain closed. Public parks and tourist sites would close while large sporting events, conferences and other major gatherings were also cancelled.
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Israel controls all entrances to the West Bank from the Jewish state but the Palestinian government has limited autonomy in cities. The Palestinian health ministry said the cases had first been detected at a hotel in the Bethlehem area. All seven of those infected were being treated in quarantine.
Asbed Balian, senior cleric of the Armenian church at the Church of the Nativity, said infected visitors had entered the site. Workmen began spraying disinfectant inside the church on Thursday evening.
Israel, which so far has 16 confirmed cases of the disease, has imposed stringent measures on many European nations in a bid to contain the virus. It has also scrapped joint military exercises with the United States in Germany.
The Israeli army announced that from noon Friday all forces would be prevented from leaving Israel, whether "on personal trips or on duty".
(With inputs from AP)
