Thursday sees 3,200 coronavirus tests, 2 new cases

AMMAN — Two new coronavirus cases have been recorded in Jordan, bringing the total number of cases to 437, Minister of Health Saad Jaber announced on Thursday.

During a press briefing at the National Centre for Security and Crisis Management, Jaber said that the new cases include a non-Jordanian truck driver who tested positive at the border and a Jordanian student who returned from the UK on March 15 and was under isolation for 20 days at one of the Kingdom’s hotels.

A total of 3,200 tests were conducted on Thursday, he said, noting the recovery of three individuals, in addition to seven recoveries on Wednesday that were not previously announced.

Jaber added that 113 patients are currently receiving treatment in hospitals.

Clinics, laboratories and X-ray centres will resume work as of Monday, April 27, the minister said, pointing out that dental clinics will only receive urgent cases.

Also speaking during the briefing, Minister of State for Media Affairs Amjad Adaileh conveyed Ramadan greetings to Jordanians.

The media minister said that citizens and residents will be permitted to leave their homes for shopping between 8am and 6pm, highlighting the ban on movement after allotted times except for those with permits.

He also cautioned the public against holding gatherings and feasts.

The government will also impose a 24-hour comprehensive curfew in all governorates on Friday, the first day of Ramadan, he said, noting that the decision also applies to permit holders but excludes medical personnel in the public and private sectors, epidemiological investigation teams and a “very limited number” of employees and officials responsible for vital work.

Working hours for permitted workers during Ramadan will be from 10am till 3pm, the minister said, noting thatsome institutions can amend their work hours according to the nature of work.

Adaileh also said that the government will announce a decision regarding the resumption of work at official institutions and departments within a limited capacity in the near future.

A number of violations have been reported in the governorates that witnessed relaxed curfew regulations, including Karak, Tafileh, Aqaba and Maan, he said, stressing that the repetition of such actions will force the government to reimpose stringent measures.

The minister warned against illicit market practices such as price gouging, stressing that the government will impose strict oversight over markets during the holy month, while related bodies will shut down any violating institution.

Regarding the Himmat Watan fund, Adaileh said that two committees have been formed, one to manage the donation account of the Health Ministry and another for the Social Development account.

The swHimmat Watan fund has so far received over JD78  million in donations, while the Health Ministry’s account received some JD15.8 million and the Khair account some JD1.6 million.

Adaileh, who is also the government’s spokesperson, announced that an earthquake struck Wadi Araba, with no damage reported.

Also speaking during the briefing, Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Mothanna Gharaibeh said that the ministry has decided to increase the allocation of e-curfew passes, urging the public to utilise them only as necessary.

He pointed out that children born to Jordanian women and non-Jordanian fathers and Gazans have been added to the nationalities granted movement permits for visiting banks and emergency cases, while non-Jordanians will be added within two days.

The number of those who have obtained permits through the platform stayhome.jo has exceeded 219,000, he added.