/ March 9, 2020
To date there have been no cases of the coronavirus in Gaza, however 19 cases have been identified in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank.
Palestinian Education Ministry in Gaza and UNRWA yesterday decided to extend the closure of schools until the end of this week over fears of spreading the coronavirus.
Statements sent separately by the Ministry of Education Ministry and the UNREWA to MEMO, both said that the closure was aimed to tone down fears related to the spread of coronavirus.
Both said that they would re-evaluate the situation on Thursday and decide whether to extend the closure of schools or re-open them.
On Thursday, the Palestinian Authority (PA) Prime Minister Mohamed Shtayyeh announced a presidential decree issued by PA President Mahmoud Abbas that a state of emergency be put into effect across the occupied territories for one month.
During this time, all schools, universities and other institutions must be closed as a countermeasure against the spread of the coronavirus.
The PA insisted that the decree includes the besieged Gaza Strip, but several institutions including the Education Ministry in Gaza and UNRWA decided to suspend work for two days only. Later extending the suspension to the end of this week.
To date there have been no cases of the coronavirus in Gaza, however 19 cases have been identified in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank.
