Jordan Expected to Ease Lockdown Measures

Sterilization of a mosque in the Jordanian capital before reopening the places of worship (AFP)
Sterilization of a mosque in the Jordanian capital before reopening the places of worship (AFP)
TT

Jordan Expected to Ease Lockdown Measures

Sterilization of a mosque in the Jordanian capital before reopening the places of worship (AFP)
Sterilization of a mosque in the Jordanian capital before reopening the places of worship (AFP)

Decisions to return to normal life in the various economic sectors are expected to be issued in Jordan, Asharq Al-Awsat learned from government sources.

The government eased some of the lockdown measures it has taken since mid-March and started opening the closed governorates and allowing people to move freely.

It has earlier reduced the hours of the partial curfew, on the eve of a decision expected to reopen restaurants and cafes with specific limitations early next week.

The decision will allow citizens to move from 8 am till 10 pm, sources affirmed, adding that the government is considering limiting the hours of the partial curfew to the dawn.

This comes in parallel with the decision to allow tourist restaurants to resume their work and receive customers and reopen the closed governorates, in preparation to resume the internal tourism activity.

The Kingdom has also announced lifting a ban on prayers in mosques and churches starting Friday, June 5, in light of preventive measures announced by the government, which stressed on people to adhere to.

Jordan in on the verge of an important stage of a breakthrough, Prime Minister Omar al-Razzaz tweeted on Tuesday.

He affirmed that the government will take systematic procedures and standards it will soon announce.

Various economic sectors have demanded their return to work under strict health conditions and preventive measures overseen by health authorities. These include restaurants and cafes, provided that they commit to operating only 50 percent of its area to ensure applying social distancing policies.

On Tuesday, nine new coronavirus cases were recorded, bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of the health crisis to 757. Among these are 146 cases that are still receiving treatment.

The government, meanwhile, continues to implement partial bans in the kingdom, the closure of governorates, disruption of universities and schools, and a reduction in the percentage of employees working in the public sector.



Palestinians in Jenin Observe a General Strike

A Palestinian police officer attempts to disperse demonstrators during a protest against clashes between Palestinian security forces and militants in the northern occupied West Bank city of Jenin on December 21, 2024. (Photo by Jaafar ASHTIYEH / AFP)
A Palestinian police officer attempts to disperse demonstrators during a protest against clashes between Palestinian security forces and militants in the northern occupied West Bank city of Jenin on December 21, 2024. (Photo by Jaafar ASHTIYEH / AFP)
TT

Palestinians in Jenin Observe a General Strike

A Palestinian police officer attempts to disperse demonstrators during a protest against clashes between Palestinian security forces and militants in the northern occupied West Bank city of Jenin on December 21, 2024. (Photo by Jaafar ASHTIYEH / AFP)
A Palestinian police officer attempts to disperse demonstrators during a protest against clashes between Palestinian security forces and militants in the northern occupied West Bank city of Jenin on December 21, 2024. (Photo by Jaafar ASHTIYEH / AFP)

Palestinians in the volatile northern West Bank town of Jenin are observing a general strike called by militant groups to protest a rare crackdown by Palestinian security forces.
An Associated Press reporter in Jenin heard gunfire and explosions, apparently from clashes between militants and Palestinian security forces. It was not immediately clear if anyone was killed or wounded. There was no sign of Israeli troops in the area.
Shops were closed in the city on Monday, the day after militants killed a member of the Palestinian security forces and wounded two others.
Militant groups called for a general strike across the territory, accusing the security forces of trying to disarm them in support of Israel’s half-century occupation of the territory.
The Western-backed Palestinian Authority is internationally recognized but deeply unpopular among Palestinians, in part because it cooperates with Israel on security matters. Israel accuses the authority of incitement and of failing to act against armed groups.
The Palestinian Authority blamed Sunday’s attack on “outlaws.” It says it is committed to maintaining law and order but will not police the occupation.
The Palestinian Authority exercises limited authority in population centers in the West Bank. Israel captured the territory in the 1967 Mideast War, and the Palestinians want it to form the main part of their future state.
Israel’s current government is opposed to Palestinian statehood and says it will maintain open-ended security control over the territory. Violence has soared in the West Bank following Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack out of Gaza, which ignited the war there.