Friday curfew no more, students to return to school next semester — gov’t

AMMAN — The government announced that there will be no more curfew on Fridays as per a set of decisions announced on Wednesday to gradually ease the COVID-19 containment measures.

Government spokesperson Ali Al Ayed announced the lifting of Friday curfew but said that the daily midnight curfew will remain in effect. 

Minister of Health Nathir Obeidat said that the improvement in the epidemiological curve, as well as the launch of the national inoculation programme paved the way for reevaluating the current measures, including the reopening of some sectors. 

"We are still at the heart of the battle”, Obeidat said, underlying the importance of adhering to public health measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus. 

Minister of Education Tayseer Nueimi said that as of February 7, students from Kindergarten to 3rd grade and 12th grade will be gradually and alternately attending classes in schools while other grades will continue their distance learing. 

"Based on the epidemiological situation, students studying remotely will return to school after two weeks," Nueimi said.

Classes shall have 15 to 20 students, with a space of two square metres designated for each student to ensure physical distancing. 

Nueimi added that a health inspector will be monitoring commitments to health protocols in every private school, whereas inspection visits will be paid to public schools on a daily basis.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Maha Al Ali said that lifting restrictions will come in three stages, beginning on January15, February 1 and March 1. 

Each phase will allow certain facilities to resume their operations including hotels, public pools, cinemas, public parks, among others.