COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan
The Jordanian Army was tasked with the plan's implementation as it moved to facilitate the transportation of 5,000 arrivals from airports and border crossings to luxury Dead Sea resorts, a popular tourist area which was declared a closed military zone and used as accommodation for a mandatory two-week quarantine paid by the government.
[4] After learning that a coronavirus infected patient had attended a wedding with 400 guests in the city of Irbid, the government announced a lockdown on 17 March, which was later turned into a strictly-enforced curfew that was described as one of the world's strictest measures.
[5] For six weeks, during which infections rose to around 400 cases, the lockdown included a ban on the use of cars with the exception of health service providers and essential sector workers.
On 30 April, the Jordanian government moved to ease the lockdown and re-open the economy after confirming only 451 cases, of which 350 recovered and 8 died.
The government's decision was not only influenced by these numbers which were considered to be encouraging, but also out of fear for the country's ailing economy which was badly-hit by the crisis that crippled its thriving tourism sector.
Jordan has had zero new case counts for five consecutive days as of 5 May but health officials have expressed worry that a second wave could surge if inadequate social distancing measures were taken by the public.
On 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, which was reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019.
[20] The number of cases reported included 5 Jordanians who had recently returned to the country from other parts of the world, 6 French tourists, and one Iraqi.
[24] On 18 March, at 01:00 am, the Spokesman for the Jordanian National Committee for Epidemics Natheer Obaidat announced that the total number of COVID-19 cases in Jordan has reached 48, including one recovery.
To date the 127 confirmed cases (126 active and 1 recovered) are the following nationalities: 103 Jordanians, 7 Iraqis, 6 French, 3 British, 3 Lebanese, 2 Filipinos, 1 Palestinian, 1 Argentinian, 1 Ugandan.
[46] On 1 April, 4 new cases had been confirmed, of which 2 were already in quarantine (having arrived from Spain on 15 March), while the other 2 were in contact with infected people (1 in Jerash and 1 in Irbid).
[52] Five contact tracer teams were dispatched and collected 81 samples from those who have interacted with the deceased including coworkers (at a hotel in Amman).
[62] On 20 April, 8 additional cases were confirmed, all of whom were truck drivers that tested positive upon entering land border crossings.
[76] According to the investigations by trace teams, the individual had invited a number of people to Iftar at his residence, several of whom have tested positive.
However, social distancing measures were to continue to be enforced, with individuals being compelled to wear protective gloves and masks in public spaces or receive a fine.
[82] During the first weeks of the spread of the coronavirus in Jordan (March 2020), the Jordanian authorities declared that all whom are required for "isolation", will be quarantined in five-star hotels across the country, with the central government covering the costs.
[citation needed] On 27 February, Jordan temporarily banned people entering from China, South Korea, and Iran.
[85] The kingdom has been screening everyone who enters Jordanian border crossings and airports, with mandatory chest and throat examinations as well as temperature checks.
Facebook will present all site visitors from within the Kingdom with links to the Ministry of Health website promoting its content intended to increase awareness of the outbreak, preventative measures and tips to reduce the spread, and the dedicated facilities for testing and treatment.
The PM may exercise the following powers: On 18 March The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities dedicates a round-the-clock toll free hotline number 91040 for enquirers and complaints of those under quarantine.
As he announced Defense Order No.2 during a press briefing today, Minister of State for Media Affairs Amjad Adaileh pointed out that all the stores in all regions of the Kingdom will be closed.
Larger supermarkets are planned to be allowed to sell and deliver items to citizens homes starting Thursday 26 March.
The MoH reaffirms that it is ready to test any suspected cases and urges citizens to contact the hotline 111 for all queries regarding "Corona".
The government will undertake the transport of all individuals without cost to minimize interaction, mixing and exposure en route to their residences.
The government will also undertake the transport of these individuals as with Jordanians without cost to minimize interaction, mixing and exposure en route to their residences.
In summary individuals in public places will be expected to wear a protective mask and gloves, failure to do so will result in a fine of between 20 and 50 Jordanian Dinars.
[108] On March 15, 2021, protests erupted across many of Jordan's cities and provincial towns against the Jordanian government's COVID-19 restrictions, a day after oxygen ran out at a state hospital leading to the deaths of at least six COVID-19 patients.
On March 25, 2021, Jordanian riot police dispersed protests in Amman and other cities called to mark the 10th anniversary of Arab Spring pro-democracy demonstrations, and detained tens of activists.
[110] Protesters demanded democracy and an end to emergency laws introduced with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which civic groups say violate civil and political rights.
[110] At a press briefing on 14 December 2020, Jordan's Health Minister Nathir Obeidat announced the signing a final agreement to receive the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine to cover 5% of the population.
