Kingdom witnessed 18,000 curfew violations in 30 days — PSD data

AMMAN — While more than 10 million people have shown adherence to curfew orders, some 11,000 people and 7,000 vehicles have violated the restrictions on movement since the government's issuance of a series of defence orders to curb the spread of the coronavirus in mid-March, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported on Tuesday.

The news agency, citing its monitoring of Public Security Directorate (PSD) statements over a span of 30 days from March 17 till April 14, reported that 6,814 vehicles and 10,874 people were found in violation of the curfew during this period.

According to PSD data, Petra said, the highest number of impounded vehicles in one day reached 1,134, while the highest number of people who breached the curfew in two days stood at around 2,000.

Under Defence Order No.3, a fine ranging between JD100 and JD500 will be levied for the first instance of curfew violation.

The minimum fines accumulated from 11,000 violators reach to around JD1.1 million, in addition to the costs drivers incur when they collect their impounded vehicles after one month, Petra said.

The order stipulates that violators will not face prosecution if they pay the minimum amount of the fine within a week of the date of the violation. The order imposes imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year or a fine of no less than JD100 and no more than JD500, or both penalties in the event of a repeat offence.

Those who open shops with permits outside of the approved hours will be levied a fine of no less than JD1,000 and their shops will be closed for a period of 14 days. Those who open shops without a permit will face a jail term not exceeding three months or a fine of JD3,000, or both penalties.

Over the recent period, the PSD also arrested a wanted suspect who is classified as “dangerous” and has 100 criminal records. The department also thwarted drug dealing attempts and arrested a number of suspects on charges of propagating rumours, Petra said.

Highlighting the PSD’s efforts to contain the coronavirus, PSD Director Maj. Gen. Hussein Hawatmeh said that around 60,000 to 70,000 police officers have been deployed across the Kingdom.