Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Coronavirus Quarantines Add to Tensions in Israel, West Bank

Linda Gradstein

   JERUSALEM - Israel has imposed strict regulations for a two-week
   quarantine for all arriving Israelis and tourists because of the
   coronavirus outbreak. With the measures taking effect just before the
   Passover and Easter holidays, both Israelis and Palestinians are
   bracing for an economic hit. In the West Bank town of Bethlehem,
   Palestinians have declared a state of emergency and the normally
   bustling streets are empty.

   Anybody landing in Israel will have to enter an immediate two-week
   quarantine as Israeli officials imposed strict new rules hoping to stop
   the spread of coronavirus. Tourists have until Thursday to leave the
   country and then they will have to prove they have a place where they
   can be quarantined.

   As of Tuesday, 58 Israelis have been diagnosed with the coronavirus
   although the number is expected to rise. Dr. Arnon Afek, the director
   of the Sheba Medical Center - Israel's largest hospital - compares the
   Israeli government's measures to the drastic approach taken by China.

   "So Israel is doing just the same. And when we look at what is
   happening in Italy and we still don't know what will happen in the
   U.S., I think that what Israel has done is remarkable and I hope that
   it will at least delay the arrival of corona to our community," he
   said.

   Last week, Israel announced that anyone arriving from several European
   countries including Italy, France and Switzerland would have to go into
   home quarantine. That would apply to an estimated 80,000 Israelis who
   either returned from abroad or had contact with someone with the virus.
   Among those infected, one man, a Palestinian bus driver from east
   Jerusalem, was in serious condition after catching it from Greek
   tourists who had been on his bus.

   The new rules coincided with Israel's lively holiday, Purim, which
   involves wearing costumes and drinking. Many large events and parades
   were canceled. They also come ahead what are normally busy shopping and
   tourist seasons leading up to Passover and Easter.

.