22 Mar 2021 | 09:37 PM UTC
Palestinian Territories: COVID-19 business restrictions eased in West Bank; nightly curfew, other restrictions extended through April 3 /update 49
Palestinian authorities ease COVID-19-related business restrictions; extend nightly curfew, other measures in West Bank through April 3.
Event
Authorities in the West Bank partially eased certain COVID-19-related restrictions on March 20. Under the new regulations, restaurants, stores, and industrial sectors may resume operations, albeit at a maximum capacity of 30 percent. Cafes are permitted to reopen for delivery services only. However, the Palestinian Authority (PA) has also extended several other measures in the West Bank through at least April 3.
These measures include the following:
A nightly 19:00-06:00 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.
Government institutions and 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; authorities have instructed affected individuals to remain at their workplaces for the duration of the closure.
Schools are closed for in-person classes.
All social gatherings, including weddings and funerals, remain banned until further notice.
Facemasks and social distancing are mandatory in public; violators may face possible fines.
The West Bank's existing state of emergency (SoE) is slated to remain in force through at least April 5. 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 response measures commensurate with disease activity. The Allenby crossing between the West Bank and Jordan is closed until further notice. The restriction applies to all travelers except those approved for humanitarian reasons.
Authorities in the Gaza Strip have lifted their 20:00-07:00 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 of more than 15 people - including funerals and weddings - 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 guidelines when in public. All travelers arriving in Gaza must quarantine at government-run facilities for 21 days. The Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip is open.
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.
