Ammon News -

Minister of State for Media Affairs, Ali Ayed, announced that Prime Minister, Bisher Khasawneh, issued Circular No. (21) for 2021, issued on the basis of the provisions of Defense Order No. (19) for 2020, on the implementation of the sector opening plan.

"The circular contained the opening of fitness centers and public swimming pools, including those in hotels and residential and tourist complexes, and allowing them to operate at the times specified for that, in addition to opening sports centers and academies, and sports clubs, and allowing them to operate at the times specified for that," Ayed said in a joint press conference with the Health Minister held Sunday evening at the Prime Ministry.

Ayed, who also is the government spokesperson, said circular 21 obliges the businesses to comply with the provisions of defense orders, circulars and instructions related to public safety and protocols of work procedures and preventive measures decided by the Ministry of Labor and approved by the Ministry of Health, provided that the facility starts operating after completing the required procedures and signing the necessary undertakings for that.

Ayed said the government's continuation of the safe and gradual opening of sectors depends mainly on the epidemiological situation and the extent of commitment to prevention measures, pointing out that the government reviews these measures periodically, specifically every two weeks, expressing hope that the government will not be forced to back down from any measures it has previously taken.

He pointed out to increase in the percentage of positive tests during the past three days, and the increase in infection rates in many countries of the region and the world, stressing that this calls for caution.

Ayed stated that these developments in the epidemiological situation come in conjunction with the government's continued implementation of the safe and gradual plan to open sectors, which began in the middle of this month in three phases, the second phase of which will start on Monday, in addition to students gradual return to schools in the second semester, which will start next week, February 7.

He stressed that the developments in the epidemiological situation require everyone to adhere to the highest levels of caution and prevention, pointing out that continuing to open sectors must be accompanied by a greater commitment to preventive measures, especially wearing masks, physical distancing, avoid gatherings, and sterilization, in addition to receiving the vaccine, saying: "These measures are the only way to avoid any relapse, and to ensure the continued control of the epidemiological situation."

He added that "commitment is not a luxury, but a collective responsibility in order to protect ourselves, our people and our society, and it is a national and humanitarian duty that we must all assume," expressing hope that this commitment will continue "so that we will not suffer any setback."

The media minister also stressed that, in conjunction with the safe opening of sectors, oversight authorities will intensify supervision and increase efforts of inspection teams to ensure compliance and control any violations of individuals and businesses.