Jordan resumes Friday lockdowns amid COVID-19 spike

Jordanian pupils return to school for the first time in nearly a year, in the capital Amman, Jordan, Feb. 7, 2021. (Photo by Khalil MAZRAAWI / AFP)

by French Press Agency - AFP

Feb 24, 2021 11:43 pm

Jordan's Friday lockdowns will resume in response to increasing infections, Amman said Wednesday.

"Starting this week, the government is imposing a curfew throughout the kingdom from 10 p.m. (8 p.m. GMT) Thursdays until 6 a.m. Saturdays," Information Minister Ali Al-Ayed said in a statement.

Walking to a mosque for Friday prayers, however, is permitted, he said.

An existing nightly curfew will begin at 10 p.m. instead of midnight, while from Sunday a maximum of 30% of public-sector employees will be allowed at their workplace.

The toughening of COVID-19 restrictions returns Jordan to rules imposed in March that were only eased last month, which included students returning to school after almost a year.

"The kingdom has witnessed a rapid spread of (COVID-19) in recent weeks. This is why swift and strict measures are needed," Health Minister Nazir Obeidat said.

Despite COVID-19 infections slowing down globally by nearly half, during the same early February week, Jordan's numbers increased by 34%.

A Syrian refugee receives the Chinese-made Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine at a medical center in the Zaatari refugee camp, in Mafraq, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the capital Amman, Jordan, Feb. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)

The country began vaccinations last month but has officially recorded more than 376,000 coronavirus cases and over 4,600 deaths out of a population of 10.5 million people.