Gov’t confident in ability to set ‘Jordanian example’ of recovery as sectors return to work — Adaileh

AMMAN — Minister of State for Media Affairs Amjad Adaileh on Tuesday said that, under the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah, the government “has succeeded in taking effective measures against COVID-19”.

During a press briefing at the National Centre for Security and Crisis Management, Adaileh said that the COVID-19 risk is “clearly still existent and real”, as the pandemic continues to spread internationally.

In light of economic sectors’ return to work, the possibility of a second wave of infections is “serious”, he noted, highlighting that the government is “working hard” to facilitate and accelerate the resumption of the greatest possible amount of economic activity in a way that is well-calculated and scheduled.

The minister added the government is keen on learning from other countries that have reopened their economies, taking lessons from both their successes and mistakes. 

The government is confident in its ability to set “a Jordanian example” in resuming activity and in economic recovery, he noted.

However, caution is due, given that some of the returning Jordanian students are expected to be infected with the virus, he said, adding that Jordanian expatriates whose employment contracts have ended are expected to return from countries where the pandemic is widely spread.

In light of that information, the government will continue to impose a partial curfew, as well as a comprehensive curfew at the end of every week, while strengthening regulatory and health measures, especially the use of masks in closed places for citizens’ safety, he said.

Adaileh stressed that those who fail to comply with instructions will face legal repercussions that include the closing of non-compliant establishments.