Jordan Gradually Begins Reopening Economy

A man shops at a market in Amman, Jordan. (Reuters)
A man shops at a market in Amman, Jordan. (Reuters)
TT

Jordan Gradually Begins Reopening Economy

A man shops at a market in Amman, Jordan. (Reuters)
A man shops at a market in Amman, Jordan. (Reuters)

Jordan’s government order to reopen economic sectors “gradually and safely” came into effect on Tuesday and will be applied within a three-month period as it attempts to return to normal following the coronavirus pandemic.

Sports centers and academies, fitness centers, sports clubs, indoor swimming pools in hotels and residential and tourist complexes, public swimming pools, equestrian clubs, academies and vocational and technical training centers resumed operation and were allowed to open in accordance within specified working hours.

Also, Turkish and oriental baths, billiards and snooker centers, arcade games centers, amusement parks and indoor children’s playing areas reopened their doors on Tuesday.

The decision further included cinemas, educational and cultural centers and health clubs. It allowed the serving of hookahs outdoors at squares, restaurants, cafes and hotel facilities.

Starting mid-June, people who received the first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine will be able to move and roam the kingdom’s cities during curfew hours.

Under the decision, people wishing to visit the opened facilities will have to present their ID card, health verification code or vaccination certificate through the “Sanad” mobile app. Violators may face a fine of up to 50 dinars.

Jordan has confirmed 737,284 infections and 9,472 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.



Israel Carries Out Several Attacks in Southern Lebanon

A picture taken from the southern Lebanese region of Marjayoun, shows the destruction in Khiam on November 28, 2024, a day after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect. (AFP)
A picture taken from the southern Lebanese region of Marjayoun, shows the destruction in Khiam on November 28, 2024, a day after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect. (AFP)
TT

Israel Carries Out Several Attacks in Southern Lebanon

A picture taken from the southern Lebanese region of Marjayoun, shows the destruction in Khiam on November 28, 2024, a day after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect. (AFP)
A picture taken from the southern Lebanese region of Marjayoun, shows the destruction in Khiam on November 28, 2024, a day after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect. (AFP)

The Israeli army carried out several attacks in southern Lebanon on Friday, the third day of the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, Lebanon’s state media said.

Artillery bombardment struck the villages of Markaba, Talusa and Khiyam while four Israeli tanks moved into the western part of Khiam, the report said, adding that an Israeli tank fired at a house in Nabatiyeh province.

Local media also reported that the Israeli army fired on civilians in the nearby village of Bint Jbeil. No casualties were immediately reported and The Associated Press was not immediately able to verify the claims.

Israel’s military said it struck an area in southern Lebanon where it detected movement of a Hezbollah rocket launcher on Friday.

In the statement on the airstrike, the military said it would “actively enforce violations of the ceasefire agreement.”

There was no immediate comment from the Lebanese army, which has accused Israel of breaking the ceasefire several times since it came into effect.