19 virus cases registered in Ramtha on Sunday

AMMAN — Nineteen COVID-19 cases were registered on Sunday in the northern district of Ramtha, Minister of Health Saad Jaber announced.

The cases that are in critical condition were admitted to Prince Hamzah Hospital in Amman, while patients showing mild symptoms were taken to the Dead Sea's quarantine area, Jaber said.

The government has decided to isolate Ramtha as of Monday until further notice in light of the increase in COVID-19 infections in the northern region. 

The move came as to curb the spread of the virus inside and outside Ramtha, some 80 kilometres north of Amman on the borders with Syria. 

Also on Sunday, a Labour Ministry's spokesperson said that private sector's workers, who reside in Irbid's Ramtha district or outside, are not required to report to work during the lockdown, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Regarding their payment, the spokesperson said that they will receive 50 per cent of their wages, provided that workers’ earning should not be less than JD220, which is the legal minimum wage.

Irbid Governor Radwan Otoum, head of the coronavirus crisis cell at the governorate, said that entry to Ramtha requires valid movement permits, and will be allowed in a minimal manner.

He also added that all previous permits are not valid.

Despite the isolation decision, the Ministry of Awqaf also announced that all Ramtha's mosques will be opened for the five prayers, including Friday prayer, according to Petra.

The Awqaf Ministry also called on Ramtha residents to abide by precautionary measures, notably wearing face masks, bringing their own prayer rugs and adherence to physical distancing.

The ministry pointed out that people are allowed to go to dawn and night prayers on foot.    

Head of the coronavirus crisis cell at the  Centre for Security and Crisis Management Brig. Gen. Mazen Faraiah had announced the isolation of Ramtha District in Irbid as of 6am on Monday, calling on its residents to abide by safety regulations to lift the containment measures as soon as possible.

The army official said that the move is a precautionary measure aimed at protecting the district’s residents, curbing the spreading of the virus to other districts in Irbid and maintaining the “good” epidemiological situation in the Kingdom.