Palestinian government spokesman, Ibrahim Milhem, announced six new confirmed cases of the novel COVID-19 (coronavirus) on Sunday, including four in Ramallah and two in the Gaza Strip, according to the Palestinian WAFA News Agency.
Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh announced a new set of strict precautionary measures to stop the spread of the virus.
These measures include:
- No movement between the Palestinian governorates.
- Compulsory 14-day quarantine, as of 10:00 pm March 22, 2020, except those working in healthcare centers, bakeries, pharmacies and grocery stores.
- Returning Palestinians must observe a 14-day quarantine at the Ministry of Health quarantine centers in each of the governorates.
- Banks to operate under emergency systems, provided that employees have their identity cards with them to and from the bank.
- Palestinian workers at Israeli settlements will be unable to work.
- Israel is requested to provide adequate accommodation for Palestinians working in Israel.
- All the directorates of the ministries will be closed, except for the ministries of Health, Social Development, National Economy, and Civil Affairs.
- The Palestinian National Security, the civil police and the rest of the security services will be deployed at the centers and entrances to cities and towns to maintain public order.
The Prime Minister once again called on the Israeli occupation to protect all Palestinian political prisoners, and to release sick prisoners, women and minors.
