Jordan: Authorities announce airports to reopen to commercial flights from August 5 /update 27

Event

Jordanian authorities have announced that the country's airports are to reopen to commercial flights from Wednesday, August 5, from countries deemed 'low-risk' for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Flights from 22 countries will be initially authorized, and will include Austria, Canada, China, Denmark, Georgia, Germany, Greenland, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, New Zealand, Switzerland, and Thailand. Travelers from these countries will not be required to undergo 14 days of quarantine upon arrival but must arrive with a recent negative COVID-19 test. Arrivals must also provide proof of having spent the last two weeks in one of the countries on the list. Those caught providing false information will be required to pay a JD 10,000 (USD 14,000) fine. The list is to be reviewed every two weeks.

A curfew remains in effect in Jordan between the hours of 00:00 to 06:00 (local time). Movement between governorates resumed in June, and the tourist industry has reopened, with hotels, restaurants, bars, gyms, and nurseries operating at a limited capacity. Houses of worship have also reopened, and sporting events may go ahead without spectators. Educational institutions are closed until further notice and social gatherings are restricted. Public transportation is operational at 50 percent capacity. Social distancing measures are enforced, with individuals to keep 1.5 meters (5 ft) apart and wearing gloves and masks in public spaces. Infractions are punishable by fines.

As of Sunday, July 26, authorities have confirmed 1154 cases of COVID-19 in the country and 11 associated deaths. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected over the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures: