No date has yet been set for reopening the airports in Jordan, the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners at the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission (CARC), Haitham Mesto, confirmed today.

"There is no compromise on the general health and safety of Jordanians, whatever the circumstances, especially in light of the precautionary measures taken to prevent the spread of the coronavirus," Mesto exclusively stated to Roya. 

Regarding the measures that will be taken in Jordan when the airports are reopened, Mesto said that in-depth studies are now being conducted by specialized committees that include all relevant authorities to assess the epidemiological and tourism status in the Kingdom, according to the risk assessment methodology.

He indicated that easing measures are being studied to reduce the possible impacts of any risks associated with the reopening of airports and civil aviation for travelers.

He revealed that "if a decision is taken to reopen the airports and air traffic, this will be done in a gradual manner and there will not be a full and direct opening. It also will be done according to criteria that ensure peoples' health and safety because reopening airports increases the risk of the spread of the virus in the Kingdom." 

Mesto said that, in return, reasonable and logical solutions for the return of civil aviation traffic to and from Jordan without compromising public safety are also being discussed and developed, as among the procedures and instructions that will be followed if airports are reopened is the development of sterilization procedures for travelers, their luggage and passports while ensuring that social distancing is practiced.

On other preventive measures related to travelers arriving and departing to and from Jordan, Mesto said that among the proposals that are being studied and discussed is the issue of quarantine for 14 days, as the committees are planning to reconsider the quarantine period which has proven to be successful during the past period.

He added that any solutions that are being studied now aim to mitigate risks and not to prevent them because there is no way in the world yet to prevent these risks resulting from the virus when airports are reopened, citing that the competent authorities in Jordan may request a certified coronavirus test from the arrivals.

The CARC Chairman explained that the decision to reopen the airports will take into consideration the countries that are considered less affected by the epidemic.

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