Under nationwide curfew, Jordanians now ponder economic cost of coronavirus
Jordan has taken some measures to contain the economic repercussions of the coronavirus, but some analysts believe they are not enough to avoid total collapse.
The Jordanian government has imposed an open-ended nationwide curfew March 20, two days after it called on citizens to stay home and avoid leaving unless necessary. Prime Minister Omar Razzaz, in his capacity as defense minister and under an emergency law, ordered the curfew as the number of those infected with coronavirus increased — reaching 112 cases March 23 — and as citizens ignored the call for self-isolation.
At 7 a.m. on March 20, sirens were heard all over the country, announcing the beginning of the curfew, which affected roughly 10 million people. Hours before, army, police and civil defense personnel were deployed throughout the kingdom to enforce the curfew. Those violating it — and more than 400 people did on day one — face immediate jail time, without trial, of no more than a year, and a fine.
