The Rafah Border Crossing between the southern Gaza Strip and Egypt was closed once again on Friday, after being re-opened for three days to allow stranded citizens to travel in both directions.

A total of 1,142 people left the Gaza Strip during the reopening of the border, while 1,841 passengers arrived after being stranded on the Egyptian side, according to statistics issued by the General Authority for Crossings and Borders at the Ministry of Interior and National Security in Gaza.

Authorities facilitated the departure of travellers and the arrival of those stranded to the Gaza Strip during working days at the crossing, while adhering to all safety measures against coronavirus, said the Director-General of the Crossings Authority, Fuad Abu Btihan.

In a press statement, Abu Btihan said the initial PCR test was conducted on all arrivals at the crossing, before they were transferred to quarantine areas where they will remain for 21 days.

Egyptian authorities returned 95 travellers to Gaza during the three days, who were also transferred to quarantine areas as a precautionary measure, Abu Btihan added.

The Rafah border crossing has been closed since mid-March, as part of precautionary measures taken by the both governments to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but has been opened at intervals of several days to allow access to those who were stranded.