Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - State Minister for Media Affairs Amjad Adiyleh said Tuesday that legal action will be taken against anyone proven to have the novel coronavirus, and who tries to flout safety procedures set by the Health Ministry, including isolation.

He explained during a joint press briefing with Health Minister Saad Jaber at the Prime Ministry that penalties could reach the imposition of a fine or imprisonment, "as it (violation) threatens the health of citizens and exposes their safety to risk."

"Anyone with a suspected infection and is asked to abide by the procedure of self-quarantine, but he does not commit to it, will be held legally to account, including the imposition of a fine or imprisonment, as this amounts to threatening the health of citizens and putting their safety at risk," he said.

However, the minister said that for some individuals, self-quarantine at home may not work, adding that the government would soon designate new locations for quarantine, and that if someone ordered into (mandatory) quarantine chooses to stay at one of the designated hotels, it will be at his own expense.

Adaileh, who is also the government's official spokesperson, also addressed the debate on social media yesterday about someone ordered into self-quarantine, but he came into contact with other people and his colleagues in the workplace, saying "much information has been circulated, but some are inaccurate."

He also cautioned against "going into the details of the private life of those infected with the virus," urging anyone who has information about a suspected or potential case to contact the Health Ministry or call the free number (193), instead of taking to social networks, in order to help the epidemiological investigation teams reach and test such cases.