Israel Confirms First Case Of Coronavirus In Bethlehem

Israel has imposed a lockdown on the city of Bethlehem over coronavirus fears as authorities announced a two-week ban on tourists and shuttered the Church of the Nativity.
The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem revered as the birthplace of Jesus is to temporarily close after a confirmed outbreak of coronavirus.
The moves came after Palestinian authorities said seven cases had been confirmed in the Bethlehem area south of Jerusalem on Thursday and announced a 30-day state of emergency and the cancellation of large gatherings.

All Israelis and Palestinians “are forbidden from entering or leaving the city”, the Israeli defence ministry said in a statement, adding the lockdown had been imposed “in coordination with the Palestinian Authority”.

Israel controls all entrances to the West Bank from the Jewish state but the Palestinian government has limited autonomy in cities.

The Church of the Nativity, built on the site that Christians believe was the birthplace of Jesus, was closed on Thursday and is among the sites expected to be shuttered until March 20.