Royal directives: Gov’t announces plan for return of Jordanian students, citizens stranded abroad

AMMAN — Under the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Friday announced a plan for the return of Jordanian students studying abroad.

During a press briefing at the National Centre for Security and Crisis Management, Safadi called on Jordanians abroad to stay where they are for their own safety, based on health instructions, adding, however, that “we have set a plan for those who would like to return", the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Safadi stated that the electronic platform safelyhome.gov.jo is designated for students abroad to submit applications.

Around 35,000 Jordanian students are studying abroad, he added, stressing that priority will be given to female students, graduates, freshmen, grade school students and people who were travelling abroad for a short period of time.

He pointed out that available figures indicate that more than 1,500 grade school students are studying abroad unaccompanied by their parents. 

Safadi noted that students will first submit their applications, after which the applications will be sorted, with codes to be sent to students to book their flights. Flights from countries experiencing the most difficult conditions will be prioritised.

The minister confirmed that those returning from abroad will be quarantined at hotels in the Dead Sea and other locations to be announced later. Those returning will be required to pay for their hotel stays at discounted rates for a period of 17 days at most.

He added that the government will incur all expenses for those who can prove that they are unable to pay.