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Bethlehem, Jerusalem churches reopen to limited number of worshipers

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Church of the Nativity opened to tourists and worshippers Tuesday for the first time since March.

Women walk outside the Church of the Nativity as it reopens after Palestinians ease the restrictions of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank May 26, 2020. REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma - RC26WG93LYX0
Women walk outside the Church of the Nativity as it reopens after Palestinians eased restrictions against the coronavirus disease in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, May 26, 2020. — REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma

Churches in the Holy Land have opened their doors to worshippers for the first time in over two months, as Israeli and Palestinian authorities continue rolling back measures designed to curb the coronavirus.   

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in Jerusalem's Old City, will limit entry to 50 people at once. The church, which is identified as the site of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, is barring worshippers from touching any of the stones or religious items. 

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