Israeli Defense Minister Naftali Bennett on Sunday instructed officials in his office to present him with the potential economic implications of closing the West Bank crossings following the spread of the coronavirus in the Palestinian Authority. Over the weekend, the PA has declared a state of emergency in the West Bank after seven people tested positive for COVID-19. Coronavirus has been spreading in Israel in recent days and it requires we exercise the necessary responsible measures, Bennet told Israeli media. In the event of the virus reaching pandemic levels, and if Israel declares a national crisis situation, the defense establishment will assume managing the crisis. The defense establishment is fully prepared to deal with a pandemic situation. We are not there yet, he stressed, adding he hopes and believes the situation in Israel wont go that far. If every citizen in the country follows the Health Ministrys instructions, we can certainly overcome the crisis. Bennett met Sunday with GOC Home Front Commander Maj. Gen. Tamir Yedai, who has been overseeing an exercise focusing on a possible national crisis situation over the disease. Also on Sunday, Israel was considering shuttering its Taba border crossing with Egypt after reports that dozens of people have been diagnosed with COVID-19. The Health Ministry is expected to announce that is will be adding Egypt to the list of countries from which returning mandates a 14-day quarantine.
