Ministries, public departments 'ready' for Eid holiday

By JT - Sep 07,2016 - Last updated at Sep 07,2016

AMMAN — Government institutions said on Wednesday they have concluded measures to prepare for the Eid Al Adha holiday next week.

The Tourism Ministry said it is ready to receive local and foreign visitors at tourist sites across the Kingdom during the holiday, which starts next Sunday and continues through Thursday.

Tourism Minister Lina Annab noted that the ministry's measures include preparing tourist sites in cooperation with the Department of Antiquities and coordinating with the relevant institutions to ensure vacationers' safety, according to a ministry statement.

The ministry has recently inaugurated new tourist trails in Petra, Ajloun, Aqaba and Jerash, in addition to opening visitor centres at several tourist sites.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has "a comprehensive plan" in place to continue offering healthcare and medical services during Eid, which marks the end of the Muslim pilgrimage season.

Ministry Spokesperson Hatem Azrui said the plan focuses on covering the needs of emergency departments in terms of medical supplies and staff, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Azrui called on food outlets to abide by health standards so as not to endanger consumers' health, stressing that the ministry would not tolerate any violations.

The Jordan Food and Drug Administration also announced its monitoring plan during the Eid holiday.

The department's director general, Hayel Obeidat, said the institution's teams will work in three shifts in Amman and other governorates.

Inspection teams will focus on sweets shops and fast food restaurants, Obeidat highlighted.

Meanwhile, the Labour Ministry warned against forcing employees to work during the Eid holiday without paying them at least 150 per cent of the rate they receive on normal days.

The ministry said that private sector employees have the right to enjoy the holiday, stressing that its inspection teams will pay field visits during the holiday to ensure institutions' commitment to the law, Petra reported.

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