Gaza decides to close border to protect against coronavirus

Authorities in the besieged Gaza Strip agreed to close all crossings into the enclave in an effort to prevent a coronavirus pandemic

by Mohammed Asad

Gaza decides to close border to protect against coronavirus in Gaza on 16 March 2020 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Authorities in the besieged Gaza Strip agreed to close all crossings into the enclave in an effort to prevent a coronavirus pandemic.

In a meeting yesterday, the bodies said the movement of people in both directions through the crossings would be suspended until further notice except in emergency cases.

As a result, the Rafah crossing between the besieged Gaza Strip and Egypt and the Erez (Beit Hanoun) crossing into Israel were closed and only critical cases were allowed to travel though.

Schools, universities and kindergartens also continue to be suspended until the end of March.

The Ministry of Interior was awarded additional powers to ensure all those who have been asked to self-isolate in their homes are doing so, saying that violators will be arrested and put in quarantine before they are charged.

READ: Gaza cleans up to tackle coronavirus

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