Minister of Health Saad Jaber said that the Epidemic Diseases Department (Isolation Department) of the Al-Bashir Hospital is the only health facility currently authorized to implement quarantine for arrivals from China to make sure they are not carrying the new coronavirus.

In a meeting with the National Epidemic Committee and a recently formed taskforce, that joined staff from different ministries and institutions, Jaber said the Department has been equipped to carry out quarantines, and additional medical facilities will be used as soon as needed.

He said that the preventive health measures that have been implemented on the border crossings, which included those coming from China, are necessary to prevent the virus from spreading in Jordan.

Minister Jaber pointed out that the students returning from China and who are currently in the Isolation Department will be re-examined as a preventive measure during the 14-day quarantine period, to ensure their safety that they are not infected with the virus.

The Minister of Health directed the Committee and the representatives of the concerned ministries to the importance of keeping the emergency plans and procedures updated in light of the widespread of the virus in the world.

Jaber reaffirmed the importance of the committee’s work in partnership with the media to raise awareness on ways to tackle the disease.