Expected easing of COVID restrictions to revive economy, tourism — experts

AMMAN — Economists predict a boost in the economy resulting from a government decision to gradually ease COVID-19 restrictions. 

Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Bisher Khaswneh announced on Saturday that the government intends to ease COVID-19 restrictions gradually.

COVID infection rates, hospital admissions and deaths continue to decrease, according to the Ministry of Health. 

“The Kingdom is moving towards an endemic situation,” Derar Bal’wi, an associate clinical professor, told The Jordan Times in an interview. 

“People have to start exercising their own personal judgement in line with the risks,” Abdel Rahman Shaher, a pulmonologist, told The Jordan Times. 

Shaher said evidence shows vaccines are “sufficiently effective” in reducing hospitalisations and deaths.

Nationwide COVID-19 restrictions will be eased over phases, the prime minister said.

“I believe easing restrictions should be monitored closely and adjusted according to the epidemiological situation in the Kingdom,” Shaher said.

Shaher said proof of full vaccination should continue to be a requirement for entering public places. 

“We need to strike a balance between measures that help limit the spread of the virus and allow our economy to recover,” Shaher said. 

Economist Khaled Salameh told The Jordan Times he is “optimistic” about the 2022 outlook as restrictions begin to ease.

“The emergence of omicron might disturb the economic recovery trajectory for the time being,” Salameh said.

He added that 2021 was a “disastrous” year for consumers, as they were trapped between high prices due to inflation and a decline in incomes, as well as losses in jobs and business.

“High inflation is here to stay,” Salameh said.  

However, the gradual easing of restrictions will help spur economic growth, moving the economic wheel forward and helping calm inflated prices, according to Salameh. 

“The tourism sector is predicted to bloom after the easing of restrictions,” economist Wajdi Makhamreh told The Jordan Times. 

Makhamreh said the increasing number of positive cases in the Kingdom, along with the media’s daily report of cases, have created a challenge for the tourism sector.

He said that tourists were cancelling their reservations and were “afraid” of visiting Jordan, which caused major financial losses for the sector. 

“I think the number of PCR tests each traveller has to take contributes heavily to their vacation budget, hence their unwillingness to travel”, Makhamreh stated. 

Makhamreh said that easing some broader restrictions will help international visitors regain confidence to travel.