Article content

JERUSALEM — Israeli and Palestinian authorities sought to quell fears of a potential local outbreak of the coronavirus after learning that South Korean pilgrims who had toured some of the holy land’s most popular sites were later found to be carrying the virus.

The nine tourists, who tested positive for coronavirus after returning to South Korea, earlier this month visited holy sites including Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Cave of the Patriarchs in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, according to Israel’s Health Ministry.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Alarm in the holy land after visit by pilgrims with coronavirus Back to video

The ministry published the group’s itinerary and said it was carrying out an “epidemiological investigation” to track any potential spread. It ordered anyone who was in close contact with the group to report it to the ministry and to stay at home for 14 days while monitoring their health.

The Palestinian Health Ministry issued similar instructions for the Palestinian territories.