With almost a month into Jordan’s nationwide lockdown to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus outbreak, daily life activities have been reduced considerably except for bakeries, grocery stores and hospitals.
Jordan on Sunday extended a month-long lockdown that has closed schools, universities and government agencies until the end of April.
Abla Amawi, the secretary general of the Higher Population Council (HPC), says that the data on those applying for government assistance during the coronavirus crisis is good enough to map out poverty on Jordan and set up clear counter strategies.
According to collected data, 65,000 citizens applied for what is known as “bread support” and 500,000 citizens applied for unemployment benefit. More so, 95,000 families are currently benefiting from the national aid fund.
In previous events, the Jordanian government did not disclose the real numbers of poverty rates in the country. Amawi acknowledged a natural increase in poverty numbers in the country as a result of the nationwide shutdown and imposed curfew.
Those paid hourly and working under unregulated conditions have been most affected by the lockdown.
Observers expected a sharp decline in the income of workers in the private sector after the issuance of Defense Order No. 6. The order allowed for a 30 percent decrease in labor forces during the period of the national lockdown.
The head of the Phoenix Center for Economic Studies Ahmed Awad warned of a significant hike in unemployment numbers in the country in light of the forced market disruption due to the virus crisis.
Awad stressed in remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat that the damage will have short and medium-term effect, and will especially effect the tourism sector, restaurants and public services.
According to Awad, this will be reflected in a rise in poverty figures over the next few years.
