GAM issues safety instructions for entering parks, public facilities

AMMAN — The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) has issued health and safety instructions for entering parks and public facilities, which were reopened on Sunday from 8am until 8pm.

Deputy Director of Agriculture and Health Affairs at GAM Mervat Mheirat said that the decision to set working hours for parks and public facilities comes in the context of the ongoing midnight curfew mandated by the government.

“We have been under pressure from citizens to reopen public parks and gardens as it is the summer season, but the municipality has not neglected precautions that ensure citizens’ safety such as the requirement of masks and gloves as well as physical distancing,” Mheirat told The Jordan Times over the phone.

Smoking in all its forms is strictly prohibited in public facilities and parks, including the use of shisha, with Mheirat urging the public to adhere to the municipality’s instructions to cooperate with its employees.

“While many graduation or engagement photo sessions are taking place in these spaces, we remind citizens of the need to avoid touching surfaces such as gates, and refrain from entering these spaces if they experience symptoms such as fever, coughing and shortness of breath,” added Mheirat.

She also stressed the importance of preserving plants and green space. 

The municipality has prohibited the use of barbecue grilling tools inside parks unless there are specified places, the official said, stressing that children under the age of 15 should not be left unattended.

 “We know that a family barbeque is one of our citizens’ favourite activities, but we must pay attention to the presence of a pandemic that requires physical distancing measures,” said Mheirat.

The municipality also banned loud and disturbing noise, and blaring sound systems in parks, the official said.

Animals are not allowed inside public parks, stadiums or fields, she said, adding that lighting of fires is also prohibited.