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.



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)
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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.