08 Feb 2021 | 10:51 PM UTC
Palestinian Territories: Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip to reopen as of Feb. 9 following COVID-19-related closure /update 44
Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip to reopen from Feb. 9. Other COVID-19-related restrictions remain in place.
Event
The Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip will reopen beginning Feb. 9 to allow for the passage of travelers in both directions; authorities have not specified how long the facility would stay open. The Rafah border crossing had been closed as part of efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19; however, authorities have periodically reopened the crossing for several days at a time to permit the repatriation of travelers and the transport of humanitarian cases.
Authorities in the Gaza Strip have lifted the COVID-19-related 2000-0700 nightly curfew and the 24-hour weekend curfew on Fridays and Saturdays. The easing of restrictions followed an assessment of the epidemiological situation in the territory. Some popular markets in Gaza will remain closed on weekends to prevent crowding in public spaces. Gatherings, including funerals and weddings, of more than 15 people remain prohibited in Gaza. Most institutions of learning and houses of worship are closed until further notice. All individuals must wear protective face coverings and adhere to social distancing precautions in public. All travelers arriving in Gaza must quarantine at government-run facilities for 21 days.
Palestinian authorities in the West Bank have extended the existing state of emergency (SoE) through March 1. The measure grants authorities the power to enact localized lockdowns in areas witnessing spikes in COVID-19 cases. Authorities are monitoring the epidemiological situation throughout the West Bank and will enact localized lockdowns on areas with increased disease activity.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) has also extended restrictions across the West Bank through at least Feb. 15. The measures that remain in effect include:
A nightly 1900-0600 curfew is in effect across the territory.
Travel between all governorates in the West Bank is prohibited; only medical personnel and workers transporting essential goods are exempt.
On Fridays and Saturdays, movement is prohibited in all governorates. All nonessential businesses must close; only pharmacies and bakeries can operate.
Schools and universities have ceased most in-person classes.
Government institutions, as well as civil and private establishments, must limit their operations to no more than 30-percent capacity.
Travel to and from the West Bank is prohibited. Palestinians who work in Israel are not permitted to reenter the West Bank and are instructed to remain at their workplaces for the duration of the closure.
All social gatherings, including weddings and funerals, remain banned until further notice.
Facemasks and social distancing are mandatory in public; violators may be fined.
Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) announced the closure of the Allenby crossing between the West Bank and Jordan from 1700 Jan. 28 until further notice as part of ongoing efforts to combat COVID-19. The restriction applies to all cases except those approved for humanitarian reasons.
Officials could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks. Border crossings between Israel and the Palestinian Territories may close with little-to-no advance notice.
