Ammon News - The Minister of Health Nazir Obeidat highlighted recent data indicating that the second half of this year may bring about an end to the COVID-19 pandemic around the world.

During a meeting with members of the Epidemiological Committee Saturday, Obeidat said: "The predictions are based on practical data, including the infection of large numbers of people with the virus, which generated natural immunity, in addition to the introduction of a vaccine."

The minister underlined the need for citizens to get vaccinated to support the efforts exerted to eliminate the virus, expressing disbelief at anti-vaccine individuals and rumors.

Addressing the members of the Amman Chamber of Commerce, Obeidat urged the commercial sector to support official calls to raise awareness on the vaccine, which he described as "safe and highly effective" to prevent the most dangerous and worst pandemic known to mankind.

He also stressed that vaccines are one of the greatest global achievements, which have contributed to the elimination of diseases.

On the re-opening of sectors, Obeidat stated that concerns have caused the Ministry to take its time to make a decision, pointing to new data on the pandemic and the 5 cases of the new mutated virus in the Kingdom.

In ten days, he pointed out, the Ministry will study the situation, followed by steps to be taken in accordance with the developments, indicating that if the epidemiological situation in the Kingdom remains stable, there will be relaxation on the re-opening of closed sectors.

Obeidat stated that the Ministry is currently going through better conditions, after expanding hospitals' capabilities to receive more patients, increasing beds and artificial respirators, noting that these developments help inform decisions in the interest of the economic sectors.

On the domestic epidemiological situation, Obeidat assured it is witnessing a remarkable improvement, and that "things are heading in the right way." Nonetheless, the minister voiced concern on the global situation, which has not improved, as well as the emergence of the new strain of the virus.

"To this day, we do not know the implications of the new strain, whether in terms of the speed of its spread, impact on age groups, or the extent of its effect on the new vaccine," said the minister, noting that these data obligate caution in decision-making.

Obeidat underlined that the ministry will carefully study all the issues and proposals presented by the closed sectors to submit them to Cabinet to make the appropriate decision, stressing that adherence to health and public safety requirements will accelerate the sectors' gradual return to work.

In turn, Minister of Tourism Nayef Fayez stated that his Ministry is constantly reviewing the protocols related to the sectors' return to work in a way that allows a practical implementation and balances the health and economic aspects.

He stated that the unjustified behavior of some people affects all sectors, pointing to strict procedures under the law to address any violation committed by establishments permitted to reopen.

Fayez spoke of a possibility to appoint a health inspector, affiliated with the official monitoring authorities, in some sectors, adding that the ministry will follow up on observations and demands related to re-opening of the closed sectors.