Jordan’s Minister of Interior Salama Hammad ordered the closure of Jaber border crossing with Syria for a week.
The decision, effective as of Thursday, comes upon the recommendation of a government committee tasked to run borders and airport affairs.
Hammad said the crossing will be closed and its situation will be assessed to ensure the safety of civilians and staff, state-run Petra news agency reported.
This comes after a number of coronavirus infections were recorded among the staff at the crossing.
Over the past two days, Jordan recorded 25 COVID-19 cases, most of which were detected among arrivals at the border.
The committee asserted the need to complete all procedures to clear all goods at the crossing before its closure.
It also tasked Health Minister Saad Jaber to take the necessary health and preventive measures to isolate workers at the Jaber Border Crossing, in cooperation and coordination with the relevant authorities.
Also, Prime Minister Omar Razzaz announced that local virus infections had reached 25, adding that the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases since Wednesday evening is a “worrisome development” and a source of concern.
Razzaz pointed out that the source of the infection must be verified, as the majority were recorded at the Jaber Border Crossing, noting that authorities must take immediate measures to prevent the virus from spreading.
The PM hoped to overcome this pandemic and the second wave that many countries in the world and the region are facing, calling upon Jordanians to take this issue seriously.
As of Monday, Jordan recorded 1,283 virus cases including 1,189 recoveries and 11 deaths. Also, 66 persons are still receiving treatment in two specialized hospitals.
