Saturday, Prime Minister Bisher Al-Khasawneh issued Defense Order No. (22) , which includes stricter penalties for holding, organizing or participating in gatherings, and determining the necessary exceptions.

The Defense Order No. 22 text is as follows:

In accordance with the provisions of Article (3) of Defense Law No. (13) of 1992, which ensures compliance with the preventive measures established under defense orders to confront the coronavirus crisis, I, [the Prime Minister, have] decided to issue the following defense order:

First: The penalties for violating Clause (First) of Defense Order No. (16) for the year 2020 related to the establishment and organization of gatherings stipulated in previous defense orders, and to replace them with the following:

1. Whoever holds an gathering in violation of the provisions of Clause (First) of Defense Order No. (16) of 2020 shall be punished with imprisonment from three months to three years or a fine of not less than JOD 1,000 and not more than JOD 3,000, or with both penalties.

2. Anyone present or participating in any of the gatherings referred to in Paragraph (1) of this clause shall be punished with a fine of JOD 100.

Second: The gatherings which are held by constitutional authorities are exempt from the provisions of Paragraph 1 of Clause (First) of Defense Order No. (16) of 2020.

Third: The Prime Minister may amend this defense order based on any communications he issues for this purpose.