‘The battle against the coronavirus pandemic is not over yet’

AMMAN — Jordan’s battle against the coronavirus pandemic is not over yet, Minister of State for Media Affairs Amjad Adaileh stressed on Thursday.

During a press briefing broadcast live from the National Centre for Security and Crisis Management, Adaileh said that the 24-hour curfew on Friday aims at enabling epidemiological investigation teams to work efficiently and reach all people who have been in contact with confirmed infected cases, which requires all to be at home.

The minister noted that the comprehensive curfew will help the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army and other security agencies to prohibit any form of movement. This includes picnicking, he said, noting that the government has witnessed such incidences over the past week.

He also said that the comprehensive curfew on Friday will guarantee that there is no crowding at markets and other shops, noting that people have been shopping the entire week.

Adaileh added that as of Saturday, the curfew regulations will continue as usual, allowing people to secure their necessary commodities from neighbourhood shops on foot or through delivery services between 10am and 6pm.

Meanwhile, the minister stressed that the government will activate e-permits for people who are allowed to move as of 6pm on Thursday and all paper permits will become invalid, especially as the government has taken note of “many shortcomings” in the issuance of paper permits.

Applicants for permits may check if their e-permits have been activated by sending their national numbers via SMS to 94444, he said, calling on people not to use this number for other purposes to avoid unnecessary pressure on the service.