Corona PA: Abu Mazen declared emergency, Bennett imposed closure

Corona Panic – Latest Updates:

• After 7 Palestinians became infected: Abu Mazen declared emergency in PA
• Defense Minister Bennett ordered the closure of Bethlehem until further notice
• The IDF has rejected the General Staff exercise scheduled for this month
• Recruitment of reserve and non-UAV personnel who have been abroad for the past two weeks will be postponed

The announcement of the emergency was announced by Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ashiya hours after the closure of the Nativity Church, which is considered the place for Jesus’ child. “We have decided to declare an emergency in all Palestinian areas to deal with the danger of the corona virus and prevent it from spreading,” Ashiya said in a statement read. The Palestinian prime minister added that Abu Mazen gave him full authority to oversee the implementation of the emergency, which would include the closure of all educational institutions.

At the same time, Defense Minister Naftali Bennett instructed the IDF and the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Occupied Territories (DCO), in coordination with the Palestinian Authority, to impose a closure on the city of Bethlehem. Therefore, movement of Israelis and Palestinians into and out of the city is forbidden – until further notice. Bennett’s decision was made following the infighting of the new Corona hospitals, and in consultation with the NSC (Coordinator of National Security) and Coordinator of Government Operations in the Occupied Territories, such as Mill Abu Rukon. The government’s coordinating unit made it clear that the closure is valid only for people who want to enter Israel, .

PA Health Minister May Kila announced earlier today the adhesion of seven PA citizens working at a hotel in Beit Jala. The Swa news agency reported that the patients’ samples were submitted for examination in Israel.

Israeli officials told Walla! NEWS that Israel is in close contact with the Palestinian Authority regarding concerns about the spread of the virus. Yesterday, Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon spoke to the Minister of Civil Affairs in the Palestinian Authority, Hussein a-Sheikh, and the two agreed to cooperate in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus. Among other things, they agreed on Israeli assistance in locating and examining carriers and patients. Speaking to Kahlon, a-Sheikh has requested a request from the Ministry of Health for assistance with medical equipment to deal with the corona, as well as masks, disinfectants and protective suits.

According to the sources, Israel is also disturbed by what is happening in the Gaza Strip, given the recent entry of 5,000-7,000 workers from Gaza a day. There is also concern about what is going on in Judea and Samaria, from where about 140-150,000 workers come into Israel a day and there is free movement and concern among the residents of the Jewish communities in Israel.

In addition, the Israeli Government Coordination Unit in the Occupied Territories passed about 250 test kits to identify the virus, and coordinated and coordinated joint training with Israeli and Palestinian medical professionals for the virus, the medical staff’s examination, and the examination of patients suspected of carrying the virus.

The IDF also decided on a series of new guidelines for fear of contracting the virus, concerning the reserve and new recruits: reserve workers who have been abroad for the past two weeks will not reach the reserve, and recruitment of non-governmental (security service candidates) who were also abroad during this period – Be rejected.

As part of the new guidelines, the General Staff exercise, scheduled for March 15-19, will be postponed to another date. Accordingly, the reserve orders issued to the reserve personnel will be canceled. Also, additional reserve battalion training will be considered and postponed as needed.

At the same time, a hundred reservists from MDA were recruited to reinforce the organization’s information center, and several medical functionaries. In addition, preparations are being made to reinforce the call centers of the ACA (Personnel Division) and ATL (Technology and Logistics Division) and logistics preparations for medium procurement. Protecting servants, if required, and mapping, in relevant pre-defined bases, to define essential areas and ways of purification.

(First Update: 22:15)