Circular N0.38 allows for reopening of sports, fitness and cultural centres

AMMAN — Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Bisher Al Khasawneh on Tuesday issued Circular No.38 of 2021 based on the 8th article of Defence Order No.19 of 2020 and 4th article of Defence Order No.27 of 2021.

The new circular allowed the reopening of sports centres and academies, fitness centres, sports clubs, indoor swimming pools inside hotel facilities, residential and tourist complexes, and public swimming pools, equestrian clubs, vocational and technical training centres and academies that are not subject to the Education Act.

As per the circular, Turkish and Oriental baths,  billiards and snooker centres, electric and electronic games centres, indoor entertainment cities and children's play areas are allowed to operate.

Cinemas, educational and cultural centres, health clubs are allowed to open as well, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Restaurants and cafes are allowed to serve shisha on outdoor terraces and patios as of June 15 of 2021, according to the circular.

Under the new circular, the passenger capacity in public transport was increased to 75 per cent.

Individuals who received COVID-19 vaccination are allowd to move during curfew hours across the Kingdom, 21 days after their first dose, as of June 15 of 2021.

The premier is entitled to amend the provisions of Circular No.38, valid as of June 1.  

Also on Tuesday the prime minister issued Defence Order No.30 pertaining to the gradual reopening of sectors and commitment of institutions, and the public to preventive measures. 

According to the order, all institutions that were reopened under Circular 38 of 2021 must commit to preventing admission of any person without showing ID card or the health verification code or vaccination certificate on the Sanad application accredited by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, according to the Prime Ministry. 

Any violating individual will be subject to a fine of no less than JD20 and no more than JD50. The prime minister has the right to amend the provisions of this defence order under circulars issued for this purpose. 

Also on Tuesday, the prime minister issued Circular No. 37 of 2021, pertaining to the regulation of tourism sector workers’ access to the sustainability programme, “Estidama”, offered by the Social Security Corporation (SSC). 

As per the circular, workers in the tourism sector will receive 75 per cent of their wages, out of which 75 per cent will be incurred by the Estidama programme, while the remaining 25 per cent by the employer, with a ceiling of JD1,000 for each worker in the tourism and transport sectors. 

The SSC is entitled to identify the tourism institutions to be covered by the programme, according to the Jordan News agency, Petra. The new circular is effective as of June 1.