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Bringing Jordan back strong

Jun 27,2020 - Last updated at Jun 27,2020

Jordan is in phase three of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Countries in phase three are relatively safe for visitors; particularly those in countries that have active infection and increased transmission.

As a country that is dependent on tourism and expatriate inflow of capital, Jordan has a lot to lose economically; and economic sequelae can spell disaster to this small nation with few natural resources and unsustainable indebtedness.

Royal Jordanian, the national carrier and an airline known for its top safety profile, should be able to extend its reputation worldwide and be a vehicle in which Jordan can exit this existential threat to its survival.

A suggested model would be to do a R-PCR test five days prior to travel, to be followed by R-PCR test at the airport hotel, from which flights would be bound to Jordan. Of course, a health questionnaire should be filled by each passenger prior to boarding. This level of attention to safety will almost mimic what is done prior to discharging a coronavirus patient from hospital.

Prior to onboard travel, the traveller will also be asked to self-quarantine for five days. The additional expenses of the testing and hotel stay, in my opinion, will be tolerated, as anxiety over travel has almost brought a worldwide halt to the travel industry. I believe people will pay for their safety.

Although travel health passports have not been deemed efficacious by the World Health Organisation, it is my contention that this will be as safe a form of travel as possible, and it is a necessary balance between the requirement for safety and economic viability of the nation.

I would argue that this is in the national security interest of the country. Any unrest due to the economic situation, I believe, would bring the threat of mass demonstrations, and this could increase the health fragility of the country; a country with good health facilities but also a country that cannot absorb large casualties.

In this sense, I would appeal to the people in charge of the coronavirus task force to consider the above measures as means not to only bring Jordan back, but to bring Jordan strong.

 

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