No Jordanian left behind: Safadi highlights gov’t action to care for citizens abroad

AMMAN — “All are in the same boat” during this unprecedented time, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said on Saturday, urging Jordanians currently overseas to stay at home and abide by the regulations issued by their host countries.

Speaking during a joint press briefing at the National Centre for Security and Crisis Management with Minister of State for Media Affairs Amjad Adaileh, Safadi said that the Kingdom’s diplomatic missions are working round-the-clock to provide all possible services for Jordanians abroad, highlighting that a crisis cell has also been activated.

Jordanians abroad fall into three categories: Residents who enjoy good conditions, students and those who are on visits or taking training courses abroad. “We assist each of them according to their needs,” he said.

Safadi noted that the ministry has adopted a mechanism to receive money transfers from people in Jordan and then delivering them via embassies to students studying abroad.

After coordinating with the Ministry of Digital Economy, an announcement on e-wallets will be made before Saturday evening, he said, adding that through these e-wallets, citizens will be able to transfer money via their phones.

Regarding stranded Jordanians who did not plan to stay for a long time abroad, he said that they need “special attention” and stressed that diplomatic missions and the Kingdom’s embassies abroad are working on identifying the numbers of Jordanians in foreign countries, calling on those who need help to contact the ministry.

“As all the world’s countries, we are dealing with an unprecedented situation. As you know, the airports are closed and movement from one city to another in the same country is not allowed,” he said, calling on Jordanian citizens to contact embassies and abide by the health instructions issued in the countries where they are.

The government is working extensively through the National Centre for Security and Crisis Management’s crisis cell to find a mechanism to address this challenge, he said.

Highlighting an understanding of the “justified fear” shown by students abroad and their demands to get back to the Kingdom, Safadi said that the ministry is considering the challenges imposed by the closure of border crossings, taking into consideration the precautionary measures issued by the Health Ministry.

The Kingdom’s priority is protecting its citizens inside and outside the country, he said, stressing that the ministry will assist all Jordanians who are stuck abroad until their return to the Kingdom.

He also expressed thanks to the Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Egypt, among others, for their efforts to serve the Jordanian communities in their countries, stressing that the ministry is in constant communication with other countries to coordinate efforts during this difficult stage. 

Reiterating that the health situation is “contained and under control”, Adaileh said that the number of pandemic monitoring teams will be raised from 35 to 80, noting that His Majesty King Abdullah is following up on developments related to the pandemic and the government’s measures in this arena.

Regarding people isolated in Amman and Dead Sea hotels designated for quarantine, the minister said that their discharge will begin on Monday, March 30 according to a “studied plan”.

Expressing thanks to citizens who are abiding by the government’s instructions, he highlighted that a small number of violations have been reported, affirming that no tolerance will be shown in this arena.

An official has been arrested for issuing forged curfew passes and leaking official documents, he said, affirming that “the most severe penalties possible” will be imposed against those involved in manipulating permits.

He also added that a bank account titled “Al Khair” has been developed to receive donations from inside and outside the Kingdom to support underprivileged families and those whose work and income was cut off amid the temporary precautionary measures. Cash donations can be made to the charity account at the Central Bank of Jordan No. (220/3100/1), IBAN JO 77 CB JO 00 10 00 00 00 00 01 31 00 02 20.

The government has launched “mouneh.jo” platform, which provides access to shops with delivery services, he said, stressing that the services will be available from 10am until 6pm. A health booklet containing information on door-to-door delivery services has been circulated to delivery service providers and health procedures will be reviewed on a periodical basis, he added.

The government is considering extending the curfew through the current week, Adaileh noted, pointing out that the decision on the current curfew is valid until Tuesday.

He also extended condolences over the passing of a coronavirus patient, a woman in her eighties who had underlying health conditions, the first to die in the Kingdom after being tested positive for COVID-19.