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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - The Jordanian government has capacity to pay the salaries of public servants whether this year or next year without any fear or concerns, State Minister for Media Affairs Amjad Adaileh said on Sunday, adding that media outlets and columnists must observe accuracy and corroborate their information before publication, especially when writing about the state's financial status.

Adaileh, who is also the Government Spokesperson, said the state is also capable of meeting its external commitments and debts, assuring that the Central Bank of Jordan maintains foreign reserves estimated at $14.2 billion.

Speaking to a number of local radios, the minister said the April salaries of public servants will be paid over the next two days and indicated that the government is ready to pay the allowances earmarked for those dismissed from some private sector companies as well as families affected by the COVID-19 crisis and the current lockdown in the country.

He reaffirmed that Jordan's strategic food stock is very reassuring, and land and air commercial freight increased during this period compared to previous months. Adaileh further said that the industrial sector is now at 60 percent of its operational capacity and will rise to 80 percent in the next few weeks.

On the prospective reopening of some productive and trade sectors, the minister said it will be announced this week and after the epidemiological committee endorses COVID-19 safety manuals to be observed by these sectors.

Speaking on print media shut down since the beginning of the crisis, the Adaileh said the Kingdom's dailies have been already caught in a "structural and deep" crisis before the COVID-19 pandemic, saying efforts are underway to find solutions.

The minister thanked all citizens and residents in the Kingdom’s for their commitment to the government's instructions at these times, stressing that Jordan provides a model to the world in fighting the disease and addressing its fallout.