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Preparations had begun in the Palestinian city of Bethlehem, where this year’s Christmas was to be a big celebration in the Palestinian city of Bethlehem.
Unlike last year’s blockade and closure of the Church of the Nativity due to the pandemic, this year tourists and pilgrims were expected to return and help the city’s economy.
But the arrival of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has dashed hopes and left many rooms unreserved in city hotels.
Just a few weeks ago, Bethlehem Palestinians celebrated the lighting of a traditional Christmas tree in front of the Church of the Nativity.
Shops and hotels eagerly awaited the arrival of thousands of tourists and pilgrims, unlike last year’s Christmas, when the city was blocked due to restrictive measures against the coronavirus.
Now, Omicron is closing 67 hotels and over 120 shops selling antique oriental products and restaurants.
Local officials are talking about a huge economic loss in Bethlehem, where more than half of the income is provided by tourism, especially Christians who flock from all over the world.
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