23 Mar 2021 | 09:13 PM UTC
Palestinian Territories: Nightly curfew to go into effect in Gaza Strip starting 22:00 March 27 due to spike in COVID-19 activity /update 50
Gaza Strip to impose nightly curfew beginning 22:00 March 27 amid a surge in COVID-19 cases; curfew end time not specified.
Event
Authorities in the Gaza Strip plan to impose a curfew starting on March 27 in an effort to combat a surge in COVID-19 cases. Curfew hours will begin nightly at 22:00. Authorities have not specified what time curfew hours will end each morning; however, previous curfews in Gaza have run until 07:00. Additionally, effective March 23 until further notice, funerals and weddings may no longer take place outdoors and on public streets; such ceremonies may be held in event halls with a maximum capacity of 100 people. All gatherings in public places and parks are banned.
Some popular markets in Gaza remain closed on weekends to prevent crowding in public spaces. 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.
Authorities in the West Bank have partially eased certain COVID-19-related restrictions. 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.
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.
