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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Minister of State for Media Affairs, Amjad Adaileh, affirmed that the government, in coordination with the National Center for Security and Crises Management and all relevant stakeholders , is examining, evaluating and updating the matrix and plan for opening sectors, to move some measures that were within the green phase (low risk) to the blue zone (moderate risk), "where we are currently placed."

"There are some sectors, such as schools and universities, that are allowed to work upon reaching the green phase (low risk), but they will be transferred to the blue zone (moderate risk) to enable them to work during the next phase, with an emphasis on adherence to prevention and precaution measures, and following appropriate health protocols," Adaileh said in joint press conference with the health minister held Monday evening at the Prime Ministry.

He reiterated that schools and universities will start on the scheduled dates (on September 1 for schools, and early October for universities).

He also confirmed that there will be no full lockdowns or curfews during this stage; rather, isolation and lockdown decisions will be taken at the level of cities or areas with high cases of infection, as the case in the city of Ramtha.

He pointed out that the full lockdown measures have a high economic, social and psychological cost, and "we hope that we do not return to them again, and that the full lockdown remains something from the past."

He stressing that avoiding strict measures and the full lockdown mainly depend on the extent of cooperation and commitment of everyone to preventive and public safety measures, which is the main criterion for keeping things under control.

Within the same context, the state minister referred to a recent study on the extent of citizens' awareness of the seriousness of the coronavirus pandemic, as the study showed that less than half of Jordanians (approximately 43 percent) take the coronavirus seriously, compared to 57 percent who have doubts about the existence of the pandemic, 8% of whom say the virus is a lie or a conspiracy.

Adaileh called on citizens to maintain physical distancing, wear masks, and avoid holding gatherings, especially during this weekend, which will extend for three days on the occasion of the Hijri New Year.

He also stressed that public security cadres and the relevant government teams intensively follow up on the adherence to the procedures stipulated in Defense Order No. (11) of 2020, and will not hesitate to impose penalties against those who jeopardize the safety and health of citizens.