Statement on COVID-19 [Coronavirus]

Dear Go Palestine Community, Parents, Friends, 

Two days ago, Palestine reported the first confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Bethlehem. The number of confirmed cases currently stands at 19 thus far. The Prime Minister announced a 30-day state of emergency, closing down most public facilities, as well as the educational system as an early attempt to curtail COVID-19 from becoming community-spread. We continue to monitor the situation and make contingency plans for various scenarios that could arise. 

As of right now, we have not made a decision yet about whether to proceed with canceling camp for the summer. We are hopeful that the spread of this virus will remain contained, and that effective treatment will be found in the near future. Should COVID-19 remain unmutated, community spread remains contained, and the number of cases plateau we expect the situation to go back to normal and for nations, including the Palestinian and Israeli governments, to lift states of emergency, travel bans, and internal controls. Go Palestine is still more than 3.5 months away, and so it is still very early to make a judgment about whether COVID-19 will impact our usual operations.
 
We are closely monitoring the following sites for updates and recommendations, especially relating to any developing news that is pertinent to our region. As there has been some misinformation and panic in the media relating to the virus, I encourage you to gather information for yourself directly from these sources:

•  World Health Organization (WHO)

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• The Palestinian Ministry of Health

• New York State County Health Department 

• The Israeli Ministry of Health
  

Please rest assured that the safety and well-being of our campers and staff are our top priority. Our decision to hold camp will be based on a thorough evaluation of the risks and dangers of the situation. We ask you to hold off on purchasing plane tickets until May 1st, or unless we confirm camp earlier than that date. 

Should the situation with COVID-19 escalate, or expand into the region, you will surely hear from us. In the meantime, all plans are still in motion and we expect to have yet another successful year at Go Palestine.

In Friendship,

Walid Musarsa, Director