LOC00:40
21:40 GMT
RAMALLAH, July 12 (KUNA) -- The Palestinian government decided on Sunday to shut down four governorates in the West Bank for four days more and impose a curfew between these provinces for two weeks, within the framework of facing the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Speaking at a news conference, government's spokesman Ibrahim Melhem said Ramallah, Nablus, Al-Khalil (Hebron) and Bethlehem were closed for four days, referring to the closure of the affected villages, camps and districts in the other provinces.
The period of closing all Palestinian territories announced by the government last week ended tonight.
The move was taken in light of a rise in the coronavirus infections.
Melhem added curfew hours begin every day from 8:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. local time in all governorates for two weeks, and it will be reviewed in line with the severity of the epidemic.
He stressed the banning of wedding parties, ceremonies at mourning houses, festivals, gatherings in all governorates and summer camps as well as the closure of barber and beauty salons, and sports clubs.
He affirmed the restrictive preventive measures announced by the Cabinet, and the fine imposed on violators.
He pointed to continuing work at factories, in line with the safety measures, for production and export. Banks are going on work within the framework of the emergency plan, he said.
An operating room led by Prime Minister has been formed. It includes Minister of Health and some senior officials of national security body and police to enhance the ministry's efforts in face of the virus.
The ministry was instructed to appoint additional medical teams and provide necessary logistic and health supplies as part of an exceptional mechanism mainly in Al-Khalil, he said.
Late Sunday, the ministry reported that three patients succumbed to death in Al-Khalil, taking the total to 37 since the outbreak of the coronavirus.
It registered 349 new infections, bringing the overall cases to 7,037. (end)
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