Jordan to Isolates Areas Where COVID-19 Cases Rise

Jordanian army members stand guard at a checkpoint after the start of a nationwide curfew, amid concerns over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spread, in Amman, Jordan March 21, 2020. (Reuters)
Jordanian army members stand guard at a checkpoint after the start of a nationwide curfew, amid concerns over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spread, in Amman, Jordan March 21, 2020. (Reuters)
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Jordan to Isolates Areas Where COVID-19 Cases Rise

Jordanian army members stand guard at a checkpoint after the start of a nationwide curfew, amid concerns over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spread, in Amman, Jordan March 21, 2020. (Reuters)
Jordanian army members stand guard at a checkpoint after the start of a nationwide curfew, amid concerns over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spread, in Amman, Jordan March 21, 2020. (Reuters)

Jordan's Minister of State for Media Affairs Amjad al-Adaileh said Saturday that the government will isolate any province, city, or governate where COVID-19 cases spike, noting that a total curfew will be avoided given its economic, social and psychological impact on citizens.

The Ministry of Health also revealed that a total of 75 local cases have been recorded since Friday, raising the caseload since the outbreak of the pandemic to 1,339, in addition to 11 deaths.

In a press conference following a meeting for the Coronavirus Crisis Cell chaired by Prime Minister Omar Razzaz, Adaileh said that there won’t be a total curfew or lockdown at any phase – these measures will be taken on the level of cities, provinces, and regions or even buildings.

Corona Crisis Cell Operations Director Brigadier General Mazen El-Faraya announced the isolation of Ramtha from the rest of the Kingdom’s regions, starting next Monday, August 17.

During a press conference, Faraya called on the people of Ramtha to adhere to public safety measures.

“This precautionary measure comes to protect the people of the district, and to prevent the spread of the epidemic in the rest of the districts of Irbid governorate and the Kingdom, to maintain the general epidemiological situation at good levels at the national level.”

The spike of local cases sparked debate in Jordan, which started enforcing the Defense Order No. 11 by enforcing the measure of wearing masks and sanctioning individuals and institutions that violate measures of physical distancing and gatherings.



UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon Say they Observed Israeli Army Destroying Residential Areas

 This picture taken on October 13, 2024 during a controlled embed organised by the Israeli military, shows Israeli troops patrolling in the southern Lebanon's Naqoura region near the border. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP)
This picture taken on October 13, 2024 during a controlled embed organised by the Israeli military, shows Israeli troops patrolling in the southern Lebanon's Naqoura region near the border. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP)
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UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon Say they Observed Israeli Army Destroying Residential Areas

 This picture taken on October 13, 2024 during a controlled embed organised by the Israeli military, shows Israeli troops patrolling in the southern Lebanon's Naqoura region near the border. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP)
This picture taken on October 13, 2024 during a controlled embed organised by the Israeli military, shows Israeli troops patrolling in the southern Lebanon's Naqoura region near the border. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP)

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon on Monday said it has observed recent “concerning actions” by the Israeli army in southern Lebanon, including the destruction of residential areas and road blockages.
A spokesperson for the peacekeeping mission, Kandice Ardiel, told The Associated Press that peacekeepers also observed on Monday an Israeli flag flying in Lebanese territory near Naqoura. The town hosts the headquarters of the peacekeeping mission, known as UNIFIL.
Under the terms of the US-brokered ceasefire agreement that ended the 14-month war between Israel and Hezbollah, the Israeli army is required to complete its withdrawal from Lebanon within 60 days of the agreement’s signing on Nov. 27.
Since the ceasefire went into effect, the Israeli army has conducted near-daily military operations in southern villages, including firing gunshots, house demolitions, excavations, tank shelling and strikes. These actions have killed at least 27 people, wounded more than 30, destroyed residential buildings and, in one case, a mosque.
“Peacekeepers continue to monitor the situation on the ground and report violations of Resolution 1701,” Ardiel said. “We reiterate our call for all actors to cease and refrain from violations of Resolution 1701 and any actions that may upset the current delicate balance.”
On Monday, Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati visited the site of an Israeli airstrike in the southern town of Khiam as part of a tour of front-line areas alongside army chief Joseph Aoun and UNIFIL Head of Mission Aroldo Lazaro. Mikati and Lazaro urged the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanese territory to allow the army to fully assume its duties.