Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem Closes to Prevent Spread of COVID-19

Storyful
Updated

Seven cases of the new coronavirus were confirmed across the West Bank on Thursday, March 5, according to Palestinian news agency WAFA, warranting the closure of multiple places of worship, including the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

This footage, released prior to the precautionary closures by Palestine’s Ministry of Health, shows disinfection measures taken within the Church of the Nativity on March 1 as well as the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron on March 5.

According to reports, at least four cases of COVID-19 were reported in a Bethlehem hotel where a group of Greek tourists who showed signs of the disease upon their return home had stayed from February 23 to 27. Credit: Palestinian Ministry of Health via Storyful