Palestinian president extends state of emergency to combat COVID-19

RAMALLAH -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced on Wednesday night that he decided to extend the state of emergency for another month to combat the spread of coronavirus in the Palestinian territories.

The official Palestinian news agency WAFA said that the decision was announced in a presidential decree, and will come into effect on Thursday.

It added that the authorities will continue to take all necessary measures to confront the risks from the coronavirus, protect public health, and achieve security and stability.

In an official speech aired on Palestine TV, the president announced that the government had reached agreements with some countries and concerned authorities to provide Palestine with the coronavirus vaccines.

He imposed a state of emergency on March 5, right after the first COVID-19 cases were recorded in the West Bank.