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A state of emergency took effect on Friday in Palestine amid fears of the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared on Thursday a state of emergency in Palestine for one month as a precautionary measure.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health also announced on Thursday a series of precautionary measures in the West Bank after seven cases of COVID-19 were detected.
The traffic volume saw a sharp decline all over the West Bank after the Palestinian Authority (PA) declared that the universities and educational centers are closed.
In Bethlehem, measures were especially strict because the seven cases were from the city.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Ishtaye said on Thursday that "the various ministries' employees remain on duty until new instructions are declared," adding "doctors and medical teams will remain on duty in all medical establishments to protect our people from the spread of the virus."
He also said that the Palestinian government is studying the possibility of closing all crossing points between Palestine and the entire world "if it is needed."
He called on the Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem to avoid mass gatherings and called on the private medical sector to back the governmental medical sector adding that the government will prevent vendors from exploiting the situation and elevating prices.
Ishtaye also called for canceling tourists' reservations in Palestinian hotels and closing all tourism zones and religious sites as well as canceling conferences and workshops.
"All these measures come into effect on Friday in parallel with deploying security forces all over the Palestinian territories," said Ishtaye, adding "the PA will pay for all its employees and servants during the time of emergency."
Meanwhile, Ibrahim Melhem, spokesman of the Palestinian government, said that the samples of the suspected cases were transferred to Israeli laboratories for double-check.
Melhem called on the Palestinians not to panic and not to believe in rumors, emphasizing that the government will work round the clock to help the public.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
