The Basilica of the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem will be temporarily closed for precautionary reasons, following the confirmation of a series of Covid-19 virus infections in the West Bank, an unnamed ecclesiastical spokesman said.
The health minister of the Palestinian Authority has called for churches and mosques to temporarily suspend services for the faithful, for an unspecified period of time.
The Israeli government has also announced that it will take measures to prevent the spread of the flu virus.