RAMALLAH, Jan 15 (NNN-WAFA) — The Palestinian Government announced Thursday a two-week extension of the ongoing lockdown measures taken to slow down a surge in coronavirus infections across Palestine.
Government spokesman Ibrahim Melhem said in a press statement that all universities and institutes of all levels will have to switch to home-based e-learning while allowing some administrative staff to come to their workplaces.
Meanwhile, schools of grades 7-11 will return to normal working schedule but with strict safety restrictions, including social distancing and wearing masks.
Melhem also announced a full ban on public and private transportation between the Governorates, with the exception of medical staff and the staff of the Ministry of Education.
A full lockdown will also apply to any Governorate, village, city or refugee camp where there is a high number of COVID-19 infections.
Palestinian nationals of Israel are also not allowed to enter the Palestinian Territories during the two-week restrictions.
Palestinians working in Israel are not allowed to commute to and from their workplaces in the West Bank on a daily basis, and are asked to find accommodation in their workplaces.
Concerning prayers in mosques and churches, a special protocol will apply to areas outside of lockdown times.
A full ban on movement of individuals and on transportation will apply from 7 pm to 6 am every day.
A full ban on movement of individuals and on transportation will apply in all the Governorates on Fridays and Saturdays as of Jan 17, 2021, with the exception of pharmacies and bakeries.
Ministries and government agencies will be working at an emergency pace, and are asked to reduce the number of staff working at their premises to a maximum of 30 percent.
Sports clubs, barbershops, indoors recreational facilities, restaurants and cafes are allowed to work at an emergency pace with no more than 30 percent of their staff.
Private and civil institutions should be operating at an emergency pace, and are asked to reduce the number of active staff to no more than 30 percent.
Productive sectors are allowed to work with no more than 50 percent of their staff to prevent overcrowding.
Commercial places operate during the weekly working days according to the strictest preventive measures in terms of social distancing, wearing of masks and sterilization.
Weddings, funerals, and any crowds in any places remain strictly prohibited, under penalty of legal responsibility and financial penalties.
Municipal and emergency services remain operating to serve the public.
Private hospitals should allocate wards to accommodate and treat COVID-19 patients.
Banks will be operating at an emergency pace, starting from Sunday.
Courts will operate at an emergency pace with the minimum possible attendance.
— NNN-WAFA
