Jordan restricts mass social gatherings amid rising COVID-19 cases

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Updated 18 September 2020
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Jordan restricts mass social gatherings amid rising COVID-19 cases

  • The new order emphasizes on stricter penalties for violators of COVID-19-related rule
  • The order mentions guidelines for other gatherings permitted by the state, including social distancing rules

DUBAI: Jordan is banning wedding parties, funerals, and other social gatherings with more than 20 people, as the country records a surge in coronavirus cases, state news agency Petra has reported.

Minister of State for Media Affairs Adaileh announced the new Defense Order No. 16 on Thursday, emphasizing on stricter penalties for violators of COVID-19-related rules.

The order mentions guidelines for other gatherings permitted by the state, including social distancing rules, wearing of face masks, and avoiding physical contact among people.

It also includes measures for people in home quarantine, such as wearing the e-bracelet tracking device and using relevant mobile applications during isolation.

Violators of Jordan’s anti-coronavirus rules range from three months to a year of jail time, or a fine of up to $4,230.

The new order comes as the country implements several other restrictions across the country, including placing Ghor Al-Safi and Ghor Al-Mazraeh areas under lockdown.

The two regions, located in the Karak governorate southwest of Amman, will undergo a 2-week “comprehensive curfew” from Sept. 20, due to a “grave” rise of infections.


Syria confirms ‘mass escape’ from Al-Hol camp for relatives of militants

Updated 9 min 39 sec ago
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Syria confirms ‘mass escape’ from Al-Hol camp for relatives of militants

DAMASCUS : Syria’s interior ministry confirmed on Wednesday the mass escape of relatives of suspected Daesh group militants from the Al-Hol camp last month following the withdrawal of Kurdish forces who had overseen the facility.
“When our forces arrived, they found cases of collective escapes due to the camp having been opened up in a haphazard manner,” ministry spokesman Noureddine Al-Baba said at a press conference.