Israel police on virus and security for Ramadan

Israel's national police said on Thursday it was implementing security and health safety measures in the holy city of Jerusalem ahead of Ramadan, which is expected to begin on Friday.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said officers would be preventing people from moving around outside their homes, as the Middle East continues to battle the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

"We want to make sure that people stay at home in this period of the coronavirus. Our units are coordinating with the leaders of the communities," said Rosenfeld.

Muslims across the region find themselves cut off from much of what makes the month special as authorities fight the virus.

Last month, the Al-Aqsa mosque in east Jerusalem was closed by Muslim authorities to curb the spread of the virus.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness.