Palestine takes new measures to combat spread of COVID-19 Omicron variant

Ramallah (Palestine), December 21: The Palestinian government said on Monday that it approved the recommendations of the Ministry of Health to administer the third vaccine dose to all Palestinian citizens to combat the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
All citizens, who have received the first and second jabs six months ago, can receive the third one immediately, the government said in a press statement at the end of its weekly meeting held in the West Bank city of Ramallah, adding it decided to impose vaccination and require a certificate of vaccination for all arrivals to and departures from the West Bank.
The Palestinian government urged tightening control against non-compliance with public safety measures such as wearing a mask, keeping social distancing, and avoiding overcrowding, according to the statement.
During the cabinet meeting, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye warned of the possibility of restoring the strict measures taken by his government about two years ago.
On Monday, the Health Ministry said in a press statement that it recorded four new cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 among international arrivals from the United Arab Emirates and Jordan last week.
The ministry reported five fatalities and 389 new COVID-19 cases in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in the last 24 hours, according to the statement.
Source: Xinhua