Coronavirus killing off what's left of Gaza Strip's economy
Due to measures taken to tackle COVID-19, the Gaza Strip economy is at a virtual standstill, worsening unemployment and poverty.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Yousef Abu Muammar can no longer provide for his family of five. He had to stop working at a Gaza City beach cafe because of restrictions the Ministry of Interior implemented March 22, including closing wedding halls, cafes, restaurants and markets, to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Hamas-run local authorities in Gaza have been gradually imposing preventive measures after two people who had come through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt tested positive for the virus. The total number of infections in Gaza stood at 13 as of April 15. The new measures have increased unemployment and affected all economic movements, according to observers.
