- Title: Palestinians converge onto public spaces as restrictions ease.
- Date: 8th June 2020
- Summary: RAMALLAH, WEST BANK (JUNE 6, 2020) (REUTERS) (NIGHT SHOTS) VARIOUS OF WOMEN WITHOUT FACE MASKS SMOKING HOOKAH AT RESTAURANT HOOKAH PALESTINIANS AT RESTAURANT WOMAN SMOKING HOOKAH AND TALKING / BABY (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) CUSTOMER, DUA EDRIS, SAYING: "Hopefully, life will gradually go back to normal and nothing will happen that turns back the progress or leads to places closing again. Hopefully, everything will open and restaurants will remain open so we can go out and have a good time." VARIOUS OF DOWNTOWN RAMALLAH STREETS WITH TRAFFIC AND MANY PEOPLE WALKING MEN SMOKING HOOKAH IN RESTAURANT VARIOUS OF WORKER IN RESTAURANT CHECKING CUSTOMER'S TEMPERATURE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) RESTAURANT OWNER, QASEM BASHIR, SAYING: "Life is back yes, but definitely it won't be like before (the coronavirus). People still do not have complete trust in restaurants, although we are taking all precautions, as you can see. But still, some people do not trust that it is safe yet. On the other hand, there are people who go out. Hopefully, things will gradually go back to normal." JERICHO, WEST BANK (JUNE 5, 2020) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MEN SWIMMING IN POOL FAMILIES SITTING NEXT TO POOL IN A CROWDED AREA (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) WATER PARK VISITOR, ALI ISSAWI, SAYING: "We are here to have fun and the situation has improved a lot, restrictions are less. People are coming here to have a good time and to let their kids play and swim." JERICHO, WEST BANK (JUNE 4, 2020) (REUTERS) (NIGHT SHOTS) SIGN READING (English): "WE LOVE JERICHO" VARIOUS OF CAFE WORKER PREPARING HOOKAH VARIOUS OF MEN SMOKING HOOKAH AND PLAYING CARDS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) CAFE VISITOR, BASEM ABU AL-RUB, SAYING: "In the beginning, everybody was too scared to even go to coffee shops, where the virus might spread the most, especially where there is hookah and you inhale the smoke. That is one of the main ways the virus can spread. However, you can see the precautions they take. They use healthy hoses in coffee shops and hopefully, everything will be fine." VARIOUS OF MEN SMOKING HOOKAH AND DRINKING COFFEE
- Embargoed: 22nd June 2020 13:05
- Keywords: Cafes Coronavirus Palestinians Reopening Restrictions Social Distancing
- Location: JERICHO, RAMALLAH, WEST BANK
- City: JERICHO, RAMALLAH, WEST BANK
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Topics: Health/Medicine
- Reuters ID: LVA001CHIFM8L
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Smoking hookah and laughing with her friends, Dua Edris enjoys the easing of restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus in the Palestinian territories.
Today, with many businesses allowed to resume activities in the West Bank, one of Dua's favorite restaurants has reopened for business as well.
Palestinians were seen smoking hookah and dining out, while others appeared to be quite at ease swimming for the first time this summer in a public water park over the weekend.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas extended a state of emergency in the West Bank for another 30 days on Tuesday (June 2), but restaurants, coffee shops, houses of worship and markets are allowed to operate.
In a statement last week, official spokesperson for the Palestinian government, Ibrahim Melhem, stressed the need for citizens to respect safety measures by wearing masks and gloves when traveling on public transportation or while in large commercial gatherings.
In Jericho, where temperatures usually soar over 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) in the summertime, water parks are a great way for adults to cool down and for children to have fun.
"We are here to have fun and the situation has improved a lot, restrictions are less. People are coming here to have a good time and to let their kids play and swim," said one of the visitors, Ali Issawi.
Health officials have reported 651 confirmed coronavirus cases in the Palestinian territories and East Jerusalem, including five deaths.
(Production: Adel abu Nemeh, Saed Howari, Suheir Sheikh) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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