AMMAN, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Jordan on Thursday issued a new defense law banning wedding parties and social gatherings that exceed 20 people, in a bid to contain the rise in COVID-19 infections.
Jordanian Minister of State for Media Affairs Amjad Adaileh said that anyone who holds a gathering in violation of the ban would face imprisonment ranging from three months to one year, or a fine of no less than 1,000 Jordanian dinars (1,400 U.S. dollars) and no more than 3,000 Jordanian dinars, or both penalties combined.
Also on Thursday, the Jordanian government decided to end the institutional quarantine for airport arrivals and will enforce a seven-day home quarantine instead starting on Sept. 23, Minister of Transport Khaled Saif said at a press briefing.
He said that arriving passengers from all destinations will all need to provide a negative PCR test and undergo another test upon arrival.
Passengers from the countries classified as red who test negative will get an electronic wristband and undergo one-week home isolation, while those from the countries classified as yellow will be subject to one-week self-isolation without electronic bands, the minister said.
Passengers from the countries classified as green have to wait at the airport for their test results, he added, noting that those who test negative will be allowed entry to the country without undergoing isolation or wearing the electronic wristband.
On Thursday, Jordan reported 279 new coronavirus cases, including 270 local infections, raising the total infections to 4,131 with 26 deaths. This is the highest daily tally of infections so far.
China has supported Jordan's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 31, China donated a batch of medical supplies to Jordan to help combat the coronavirus. Enditem
