Jordan went into an unprecedented lockdown March 18, a day after King Abdullah II issued a decree activating Defense Law No. 13, which gives the prime minister extra powers to enforce a set of measures to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus. 

On March 16, the government adopted a number of decisions including the deployment of the army in and around cities and on main highways connecting provinces. It also closed most government ministries and private sector offices, including banks, for a period of two weeks. It suspended all international flights as of March 18 and closed its land borders. It called on Jordanians to stay home and not go out unless it was absolutely necessary. All schools across the kingdom have been closed until further notice.

The measures include the suspension of prayers at mosques and churches, banning wedding events and funeral gatherings, and limiting crowds to no more than 10. The government also ordered all restaurants and malls closed as well as the shutting down the stock market.

These tough measures were taken as the king held a number of top-level meetings with officials and advisers March 15-16, commending “the efforts implemented by the government in dealing with COVID-19 and noting the need to continue providing health and education services to the public while maintaining the supply of basic commodities,” said The Jordan Times, quoting a Royal Court statement.