Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Minister of State for Media Affairs, Amjad Adaileh, has announced today that the Jordanian drivers arriving at the Al-Omari borders between Jordan and Saudi Arabia will be quarantined temporarily in military schools in Azraq area, until the construction of the main quarantine site is completed.

During a press briefing at the National Center for Security and Crisis Management (NCSCM), Adaileh explained that this decision was taken as many drivers are not committing to home quarantine.

As for the non-Jordanian drivers, they will be accompanied by the Public Security Directorate (PSD) patrols until they reach the borders of the neighboring countries, the Minister said.

Adaileh revealed that the government, in coordination with the Crisis Cell at the NCSCM, has decided, since April 22, 2020, to establish a quarantine site consisting of caravans and camps, for those arriving through the Al-Omari crossing. However, due to logistical reasons, the implementation of this site was delayed, and accordingly, drivers were obligated to self-quarantine and were being asked to sign a pledge to do so. The first part of the site is expected to be completed before the end of this month.

He pointed out that there are more than a thousand drivers working between Jordan and Saudi Arabia, among them about 250 drivers cross daily between the two countries.

"After discussions between Jordan and Saudi Arabia and in order to facilitate the transfer goods between the two countries, it was agreed to facilitate the granting and renewal of visas for truck drivers between the two countries at the border, so that we can increase the number of these drivers, and thus quarantine all drivers coming from abroad," Adaileh stated.

He confirmed that four villages in Mafraq Governorate and three buildings in Irbid governorate were isolated due to the new coronavirus cases recorded there.

"To track any violations or breaches of instructions, the Crisis Cell at the NCSCM has developed an electronic application called "radar-C" to report all kinds of gatherings or suspected coronavirus cases, with the ability to accurately identify the location to enable the concerned agencies to take the necessary action," Adaile mentioned.

He urged citizens "to report any gatherings, or suspected cases, as a matter of social and national responsibility, in order to preserve your health and safety."

As many people are not committing to the instructions, the Minister confirmed that the Defence Order No. (8), which is based on the Defense Law No. (13) of 1992, stipulates penalties of up to three years in prison and a fine of JD3,000 against anyone who causes the transmission of the virus to another, shows any behavior that would cause the transmission of the infection to others or violates the pledge that was signed to adhere to the home-quarantine.