A church official confirmed Thursday that a decision to close the Church of the Nativity in front of Christian visitors was issued in response to the recommendations of the Palestinian Ministry of Health after suspected cases of infection with the Corona virus emerging in the Bethlehem governorate.
"We respect the decision of the authorities because safety of citizens is a priority," said the official, who preferred not to be named. "If the church does not close its doors today, it will do tomorrow."
Christian communities announced the closure of the church and the non-reception of tourists, in response to the recommendations of the Ministry of Health and the instructions of the city's governor, within the framework of the emergency plan that was adopted to counter the Corona virus.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health recommended that all educational institutions and training centers in Bethlehem be suspended and closed for 14 days.
According to the Palestinian News Agency, the ministry also recommended that all activities, seminars, conferences and social and sports activities be suspended.
The Ministry of Health had said that there were a number of suspected cases of the emerging "Corona" virus in a hotel in the Bethlehem Governorate.
The ministry said in a press statement, Thursday, that it is conducting the necessary checks to ensure that it is awaiting results so that the public will be informed of it as soon as it is issued.