Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh is set to hold a meeting Saturday with several governors to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the West Bank.

The meeting comes in the presence of the Minister of Health, Mai Al-Kaila, to discuss extending the current lockdown procedures or lifting some of the restrictions.

Last week, the government announced the lockdown of the governorates of Jerusalem, Nablus, Ramallah and Al-Bireh, Bethlehem, and other governorates, to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

The official spokesman for the Palestinian government, Ibrahim Melhem, said that the closure was based on the state of emergency declared by President Mahmoud Abbas, and in light of the powers granted to the governors by Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh.

The total lockdown is comprehensive for all facilities except for the announced times to open bakeries and pharmacies.

Since the start of the announcement, security services have continued to strictly apply the closure and safety measures, and imposed heavy penalties on anyone who violates these measures.