13 Americans have been quarantined in a hotel outside the biblical city of Bethlehem and are unable to leave as the coronavirus epidemic spreads in the region.
Asked about American tourists stuck in Bethlehem a U.S. embassy official told NBC News:"We are aware of reports and we are providing assistance."
The church group was stranded as Israel, in conjunction with the Palestinian Authority, ordered its army and defense forces to close the city on Thursday after local officials said seven Palestinians had tested positive for the virus in Bethlehem.Neither Israelis nor Palestinians are able to enter or exit the city until further notice, the Israeli Defense Minister Naftali Bennett said in a statement.
Shtayyeh also said that all bookings for foreign tourists in hotels would be cancelled and tourist and religious areas would be closed, but he did not address what would happen to those tourists already staying in the Palestinian territories. The storied Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, where Jesus is believed to have been born, was among the churches
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Bethlehem's storied Nativity Church closes amid virus fearsPalestinian officials are closing the storied Nativity Church in the biblical city of Bethlehem over coronavirus fears. The closure comes weeks ahead of the busy Easter holiday season that draws tens of thousands to the traditional birthplace of Jesus.
Read more »
Microsoft tells Bay Area and Puget Sound employees to work from home if possible as coronavirus spreadsMicrosoft tells Bay Area and Puget Sound employees to work from home if possible as COVID-19 spreads
Read more »
Bethlehem's storied Nativity Church closes amid virus fearsPalestinian officials have shuttered the storied Church of the Nativity in the biblical city of Bethlehem over fears of the new coronavirus
Read more »
Middle East: Palestine shuts down schools and religious buildings, Iraq death toll rises to twoPublic buildings including schools, colleges, mosques and churches in the biblical city of Bethlehem will be closed for the next 14 days as concerns about coronavirus in the region grow.
Read more »
GE sees coronavirus hit on first-quarter cash flowGeneral Electric Co said on Wednesday that it expects a hit of $300 million to $...
Read more »
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)The global novel coronavirus situation is rapidly evolving. CDCtravel has issued travel health notices for countries currently experiencing community spread of COVID19. For updated information on coronavirus disease 2019 and travel, visit
Read more »