Sharjah24 – AFP: Bethlehem lit up its Christmas tree on Saturday evening but without the usual crowds, as novel coronavirus restrictions put a damper on the start of Christmas festivities in the holy city.
Palestinian authorities last week announced measures, including a night-time curfew, across the Israeli-occupied West Bank for 14 days to fight a "worrying spread" of the virus.
Locals traditionally gather each year for the lighting of the tree in Manger Square, near the Church of the Nativity.
But this year, only a small crowd of journalists was present due to coronavirus restrictions.
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