Defense Minister Naftali Bennett ordered the closure of Bethlehem Thursday night over concerns of the Corovarirus in the city.

Under the order, movement of Israelis and Palestinian Arabs into and out of the city is prohibited. The minister’s decision was made in light of the identification of several cases of Coronavirus infection in the Bethlehem area, and after consultation with the National Security Office and the Goordinator of Government Activity in the Territories (COGAT), Maj. Gen. Kamil Abu Rukon.

The closure will take effect from this evening until next Thursday evening.

Earlier today, seven Coronavirus patients were discovered in Bethlehem, and the PA declared an emergency. As part of the emergency, there will be no schools, meetings will be avoided and foreign nationals will not be allowed to stay in hotels.