Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 7) – Filipinos should avoid going to the Holy Land for the meantime, the Department of Foreign Affairs has advised.
This is because the Palestinian government has imposed a temporary ban on the entry of all tourists into the West Bank, including Bethlehem and Jericho cities, according to the DFA. The Israeli government has also decided to suspend all travel to Bethlehem from Israel, the Foreign Affairs added.
The Church of Nativity which was built on the West Bank, the place Christians believe was the birthplace of Jesus Christ. The site frequented by visitors specially during Lenten season was indefinitely shuttered. The 40-day Lent or the season of prayer and sacrifice began on February 6 and will end on April 9.
The move came after the Palestinian health authorities learned seven people who stayed at a hotel in Bethlehem are carriers of the COVID-19.
Over 80 percent of the Philippine population are Catholics.
