DUBAI: Jordan was considering easing curfew restrictions in areas with no confirmed cases of coronavirus, the Jordan News Agency reported, as the country tackles the pandemic’s impact on its economy.
A new defense order will be released in the next few days, according to Minister of State for Media Affairs Amjad Adaileh, that will include measures supporting businesses affected by the outbreak.
Adaileh said Jordanian authorities were in talks over re-opening shops in governorates with no cases of COVID-19, as well as ease mobility restrictions to resume productive economic activity.
He said inter-city travel will still be prohibited, and establishments that do reopen will have to adhere to high precautionary standards, including only allowing a minimum number of employees.
Details of its implementation are yet to be announced, according to the Jordan state news agency.
This comes as a government taskforce announced on Monday a set of conditions for the private sector to resume work amid the lockdown.
The taskforce said private sector entities can return to work only if there is a “pressing logistical or economic health need.”
Adaileh also announced the formation of four dedicated committees to ensure the country’s capacity to provide sufficient medicine, food, and other essential goods during the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Jordan’s labor ministry said companies can request to implement pay cuts for furloughed employees based on several conditions including the companies’ overall financial capacity.
Wages can only be cut for a maximum of 50 percent, according to the ministry, and can only be applied to employees who are not required to do any job during the crisis.
Jordan mulls easing lockdown restrictions to tackle coronavirus impact on economy
https://arab.news/wb7ge
Jordan mulls easing lockdown restrictions to tackle coronavirus impact on economy
- An official said Jordanian authorities were in talks over re-opening shops in governorates with no cases of COVID-19
- Jordan’s labor ministry said companies can request to implement pay cuts for furloughed employees based on several conditions
Putin thanks UAE’s president for Ukraine mediation efforts
- Russian president meets Emirati counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, in Moscow for talks spanning international affairs and bilateral trade
- Another round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine is due to take place in Abu Dhabi on Sunday
LONDON: Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked his counterpart from the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, on Thursday for his mediation efforts on the war in Ukraine.
As Russian and Ukrainian negotiators prepare for another round of peace talks, due to take place in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, the Emirati president met the Russian leader at the Kremlin during an official visit to Moscow.
Putin “expressed his appreciation to the UAE for hosting the trilateral talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States,” the Emirates News Agency reported.
Sheikh Mohammed said he was proud to have helped mediate prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine, and the UAE was ready to “assist all constructive efforts” regarding important humanitarian matters.
The leaders also discussed the latest developments in the Middle East. Regarding the conflict between Israel and Palestine, they said there was an “urgent need to intensify efforts to achieve a clear path towards a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution.”
Other topics included ways in which bilateral cooperation might be strengthened in areas such as trade, investment, technology, space and energy.
Russia and the UAE have moved to deepen ties in recent years. They signed two key trade and economic partnership agreements last summer.
