Coronavirus: Jordan to reopen religious sites from next week

Authorities say the public must continue to abide by official preventive measures

People wearing protective face masks wait to complete their transactions in the Civil Status Department after Jordan's public sector employees returned gradually to work. Reuters

Mosques and religious sites are to reopen in Jordan from June 5, the government said on Thursday night as it further eased coronavirus measures.

“We are reviewing amendment plans to lift the nationwide ban on Fridays [prayers] to enable citizens to access mosques on foot, either during specific times or throughout the day,” the Minister of State for Media Affairs, Amjad Al Adaileh, said on Twitter.

Mr Al Adaileh said easing restrictions might lead to a surge of cases unless the public obeyed the official preventive policies.

“We must all take responsibility,” he said.

Members of the medical staff at UNRWA prepare prescription medicines to deliver to Palestinian refugees in their homes at Amman New camp amid concerns over the spread of the coronavirus disease. Picture taken April 15, 2020. Reuters

A clothes shop owner wearing a protective faced mask is waiting for customers in Downtown Amman. EPA

Jordan has announced the reopening of shoes and textile stores from 26 April following strict rules. EPA

Jordanians started the holy month fasting in the context of the Covid-19 Coronavirus curfew on 24 April, they are allowed outside their homes only between 8pm and 6pm. EPA

A traditional dress shop keeper reads the Quran, on the second day of Muslim's holly month of Ramadan in Downtown Amman, Jordan. EPA

Two women walk past the deserted Roman Theatre, a landmark usually very crowded with people enjoying a visit of end of the day stroll, in Amman. EPA

Staff member of the UNRWA clinic of Al Wehdat Palestinian Refugee camp walks past a volunteer preparing medication to be delivered to patients. EPA

Some 57,000 registered refugees crowd its 0,48 KM Square and the arrival of the Covid-19 means that UNRWA had to adapt its methods to cater to the refugees needs especially for education and health within the limitations of a semi-curfew regime. EPA

A man flies a kite with the phrase "Stay at home" as part of an initiative launched by Jordan Kuwait Bank to support unemployed individuals and raise awareness against coronavirus disease. Reuters

People attend an Orthodox Easter Mass as the restrictions set to fight the spread of the coronavirus disease, at the Church of Mary of Nazareth in Amman on April 19. REUTERS

A Christian family observes Orthodox Easter Mass at home, watching television, as the restrictions are set to fight the spread of the coronavirus disease. Reuters

Abdullah from Sudan wears a face protective mask and protective gloves as he milks a camel in Amman. EPA

Abdullah from Sudan wearing a face protective mask and gloves accompanies camels in Amman. EPA

Palestinian refugees wait in front of the Al Wehdat camp health centre to register their names to get medication amid concerns over the spread of the coronavirus disease. Reuters

Palestinian refugees wait in front of the Al Wehdat camp health centre to register their names to get medication amid concerns over the spread of the coronavirus disease. Reuters

A staff member prepares to join his colleagues inside a Covid-19 triage tent at Al Bashir hospital in Amman. EPA

Mr Al Adaileh said reopening businesses did not mean that the danger had passed, and that the public must “live with the reality of the disease".

Public sector employees were allowed to return to work on Tuesday.

Authorities expected that under a phased plan, 60 per cent of workers would return this week.

“Any business that does not follow the official health guidelines will be shut down immediately,” Mr Al Adaileh said.

Most of the country’s 250,000 civil servants had not been working in their offices since a state of emergency was declared in mid-March.

Fines will be imposed on any organisation not complying with preventive regulations, Mr Al Adaileh said.

The country has 728 confirmed cases of the virus and nine fatalities.

The total number of recoveries stands at 497, health authorities said on Thursday.

The government said at the end of last month that it had contained the outbreak as it began to ease restrictions, with most businesses and industries now open again.

Jordan imposed strict lockdown measures in March, ordering residents to stay at home all day.

Only essential businesses, government agencies and food shops remained open.

Thousands of state employees in medicine, civil defence, Customs, security forces and the army continued working to run essential services.

The country's borders and the international airports also closed.