Covid-19: Jordan to extend curfew as cases surge

Jordan is contemplating about imposing a four to five-day lockdown along with extending night curfew hours and closure of some companies amidst registering a record number of cases of covid cases in a day of the more severe strain. An official of the National Committee for Epidemics stated that a long total lockdown is very important to limit the spread of Covid19 in the country and to 'break the chain of infection.'

If the cases continue to soar high, government may also consider imposing a smart lockdown in which shops and markets will remain open but citizens are to travel by foot, according to local media. A meeting was held to discuss the possibility of imposing a 48-hour total lockdown on Fridays and Saturdays and initiating partial curfew from 7pm until 7am.

The Health Ministry had recorded 7,413 new cases and 52 deaths on Monday, totaling the number of infected cases in the country to 435,130, with the death toll at 4,987.

Health Minister Nazir Obeidat also announced the closing of outpatient clinics in government hospitals to ease the pressure.

The rise in infections in the past two months has outpaced in covid cases than most of its Middle East neighbours. Last month, the government had reimposed a lockdown on Fridays and delayed the opening of schools while imposing strict restrictions on public gatherings and hefty fines for not wearing masks and ignoring social distancing.

The Assistant Secretary-General for Primary Health Care at the Ministry of Health Ghazi Sharkas said on Tuesday that all individuals have to take responsibility and to adhere all the precautionary measures.