King urges strict health measures on all border crossings to prevent COVID-19 spread

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, chairing a National Policies Council (NPC) meeting on Monday, called for stricter health measures on all border crossings to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Jordan.

At the meeting, attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, King Abdullah checked on measures to repatriate Jordanians studying abroad, in line with health regulations aimed at maintaining public safety, according to a Royal Court statement.

Also during the meeting, attended by HRH Prince Feisal, adviser to His Majesty and NPC chairperson, His Majesty called for plans to ensure private sector institutions retain their employees.

The King stressed the importance of devising a comprehensive plan for distance learning for schools and universities, as well as a plan for holding exams for secondary school and university students during the current exceptional circumstances.

At the meeting, Prime Minister Omar Razzaz highlighted the measures taken at the border to limit the spread of COVID-19 through drivers coming from neighbouring countries, noting that trucks will not be allowed to enter Jordan and freight transport will be back-to-back until the quarantine location for drivers is ready.

To address the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the labour market, Razzaz said measures will be taken to replace guest workers with Jordanians and open new markets to Jordanian expertise.

Special attention will be given to agricultural manufacturing and service exports, he said.

The prime minister presented the Ministry of Education’s plan to administer the General Secondary Education Certificate Examination (Tawjihi), and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research’s plan for the end of the second term and the assessment of university students, according to the statement.

Also during the meeting, His Majesty was briefed by a number of officials on measures taken to deal with COVID-19.