Jordan announced a 48-hour sweeping nationwide curfew that would start from Thursday midnight, in a stepped-up bid to stem the spread of the coronavirus, the government spokesman said.
The government two weeks ago relaxed a tight curfew that allowed people to go on foot during daytime to buy groceries to ease daily life for the nearly 10 million inhabitants.
Last Thursday, the kingdom imposed a 24-hour curfew to allow medical staff unimpeded entry to areas they suspect the virus is spreading in, a move which brought public life to a complete standstill.
In a separate development, the Jordanian finance minister said the country’s state finances will be deeply hurt by a loss of revenue caused by the impact of the novel coronavirus on its economy, but the aid-dependent kingdom will be able to repay its foreign debt obligations.
Mohammed Al Ississ said on state television that the government’s 2020 budget priorities would also be affected by a steep fall in economic activity as a result of a lockdown ordered to stem the spread of the virus.
“As far as international and domestic (debt) obligations on Jordan and bonds, we have made all the arrangements to honour them when they become due,” Al Ississ said.
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