An-Najah News - In its efforts to control the spread of coronavirus disease in Palestine in light of the recent surge in numbers, the government decided today to place four West Bank governorates under total lockdown for one week starting Thursday evening.

Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said in a press conference that Bethlehem, Nablus, Hebron, and Tulkarm will be under lockdown starting Thursday evening and for one week, while the night curfew that has been in force for two weeks will continue in the remaining governorates.

Based on the latest coronavirus figures supplied today by Minister of Health Mai Alkaila, 20 people have died of coronavirus in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the last 24 hours and 1720 new cases were recorded.

She said 10 of the deaths were in the West Bank, which recorded 1249 new cases most of them in Nablus district where 247 new cases were recorded, as well as in Hebron where also 247 cases were recorded. Bethlehem had 122 new cases, and Tulkarm 81.

Shtayyeh said schools will be closed in the four designated districts and students will get their education online.

Travel between all West Bank districts will also be stopped from Thursday and for one week, except for vital goods. During the lockdown, vital shops, such as pharmacies, bakeries and supermarkets usually remain open to meet public needs.