The Church of the Nativity in the biblical city of Bethlehem was closed indefinitely Thursday amid suspicions that four Palestinians had caught the coronavirus.

The Palestinian Authority’s tourism ministry also announced that foreigners would be banned from West Bank hotels during the busy Easter season, which draws thousands of visitors and worshipers.

If confirmed, the four suspected COVID-19 cases would be the first in the Palestinian areas.

Built on the traditional site of Jesus’ birth, the Church of the Nativity joined a list of prominent sites to close amid rising fears over the spread of the virus, which has killed more than 3,300 people globally.

“We respect the instructions of the relevant authorities,” said Wadie Abunassar, an adviser to Catholic church officials in the Holy Land. “Safety comes first.”

About 10,000 people visit the Nativity Church every day, according to Palestinian officials, with a huge influx expected for Easter.

“We are in the peak of the season. Tourists are leaving and within days no single tourist will be in the city,” Palestinian tourism spokesman Jeres Qumsiyeh said, adding that the church would be shuttered at 4 p.m. Thursday after being disinfected.

“This affects us dramatically,” Joey Canavati, manager of the Alexander Hotel in Bethlehem, told Reuters. “Our workers are essentially laid off for the next 14 days. We will be closed down completely. It destroyed our business from every perspective.”

In Jerusalem’s Old City, the Western Wall, one of the holiest places for Jews, had no restrictions and the nearby Al Aqsa mosque compound was expected to welcome 50,000 worshipers for Friday prayers.

Israel, which has 15 confirmed coronavirus cases, has taken strict measures to stem the spread of the illness, including banning the entry of visitors from some 10 countries.

On Wednesday, the country ordered people arriving from Germany, France, Spain, Austria and Switzerland to go into quarantine and canceled a military exercise with the US European Command.

With Post wires