JERUSALEM, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli security official announced Wednesday that a major border crossing between Jordan and the Israeli-occupied West Bank will be closed in order to stop new COVID-19 strains.
Kamil Abu Rukun, the coordinator of a unit in the defense ministry, said in a statement that the Allenby Bridge, known to the Palestinians as al-Karameh Bridge, will be closed on Thursday afternoon.
The crossing will remain closed "until further notice." Passengers from both sides will not be allowed to pass through the crossing, "except for exceptional humanitarian cases," he said.
Rukun added the measure was decided "in coordination with Jordan and the Palestinian Authority."
The move came after Israel's Interior Minister Aryeh Deri announced that other land crossings connecting Israel with Egypt and with Jordan will be closed to prevent the arrival of new coronavirus strains. Enditem
