Jordan's Irbid under total lockdown after major surge in virus cases

In its most stringent measures yet to combat the global pandemic, Jordanian authorities on Thursday placed the entire city of Irbid under quarantine, after it recorded an unexpectedly sharp rise in coronavirus infections

''Given that many recorded positive cases of the new coronavirus are from Irbid, authorities decided to temporarily suspend entry and exit from the city.'' said Dr Saad Jaber, Jordan's Health Minister.

To deter any movement of people within the wider governate, Irbid city will now be locked down and isolated from all surrounding villages, according to Dr. Jaber.

Entry and exit from the Hashemite Kingdom's third most populuous city after Amman and Zarqa will now be limited to authorised persons only, he added.

On Thursday, Jordan recorded 40 new Covid-19 cases, raising its toll to 212.

Irbid’s total lockdown is considered the most stringent measure yet taken by the government, which has already implemented of host of unprecedented precautionary measures to limit the spread of the disease.

Last week, the country went into lockdown, after King Abdullah II issued a royal decree granting the Prime Minister Omar Razzaz a new sweeping set of powers, including the right to the suspend law and restrict public gatherings.

Yet on Wednesday, Prime Minister Razzaz appear to ease restrictions on movement, allowing mini markets, groceries, basic foodstuff stores, pharmacies and bakeries to reopen.

The new mechanism will allow citizens aged between 16-60 years old to fulfil their necessary needs at specific times.

Read more: Jordan eases Covid-19 lockdown restrictions amid uproar

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