Sectors to start opening up June 1 as pandemic recedes

AMMAN — Gyms, cinemas, pools, and arcades will be among the facilities and sectors allowed to reopen on June 1, Minister of Trade, Industry, and Supply Maha Al-Ali said on Wednesday. اضافة اعلان

At a press conference held to announce a three-stage plan to achieve and maintain a safe summer, the minister explained that the first stage would allow restaurants and cafes to serve argileh in open spaces, starting June 15.

At the beginning of next month, about 1.4 million people will have taken at least their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine. The eased restrictions include raising the passenger capacity of public transportation to 75 percent, while curfew hours will remain unchanged; starting at 10pm businesses and 11pm for individuals, and ending at 6am. No union elections will be allowed to take place.

For an establishment to reopen, 21 days must have passed since all employees received at least the first jab of the vaccine.

Government agencies will be allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity, and will have to continue doing so until July 1, after which workplace capacity will be allowed to return to 100 percent.

“The second stage involves reducing curfew hours to begin at midnight for establishments and 1am for individuals,” Al-Ali said. During this stage, those who have received both doses of the vaccine will be able to move freely, regardless of the curfew. By July 1, at least 2.5 million will have taken at least one jab. That number is expected to rise to 4.5 million by the beginning of the third stage in September, when schools will reopen and in-person education will resume. Public transport will also operate at full capacity.

She added that a vaccination certificate will act as a travel permit and that under the third stage — beginning September 1 — partial and full curfews will be canceled.

Those planning to visit Jordan during the summer must register on www.visitjordan.gov.jo and need to be vaccinated. In the event travelers have a certificate of one doe, or have not been vaccinated at all, they need to test for COVID-19 twice — once 72 hours before arrival and once upon entry.

For those who have been fully vaccinated, they need to take a PCR test 72 hours before arrival and present an accredited vaccination certificate.

As of July 1, travelers visiting the Golden Triangle (Aqaba, Wadi Rum, and Petra) will need to be fully vaccinated. If they have received only one dose, 21 days will need to have passed. All others must have taken a PCR test 72 hours prior to entry. These conditions do not apply to children under six years old.

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