The Council of Ministers Sunday approved the inclusion of tour guides in the Central Bank's loan program to support small and medium-sized businesses in light of the coronavirus crisis.

Through the program, tour guides will be given JD 5,000 each, like other members of the tourism sector, provided that these loans are disbursed in installments. These payments aim to combat the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Council of Ministers also agreed to amend its previous decision related to group and individual loans, and reschedule individual loans provided by the Development and Employment Fund. Some categories will be exempt from remaining profits and other loans will be rescheduled, in an attempt to reduce the financial burden on citizens in light of the coronavirus crisis.

The cabinet also approved an amendment to the Instructions for Equivalence of Certificates for high school diplomas for the year 2020. The aim is to reorganize the principles of certificate equivalency for high school certificates issued in other countries. Students must provide proof of residence for a period of no less than two academic years in the country of origin.

The Cabinet also approved an amended system for the Cultural and Artistic Movement Support Fund for the year 2020. It aims to activate the role of cultural bodies and civil society institutions, enable them to implement their development projects, achieve the required care for talented and creative people, contribute to the development of media content and support Jordanian TV drama.

They also approved amendments to the administrative organization system at the Ministry of Culture for the year 2020, aiming to integrate the Royal Cultural Center within the Ministry’s structure. 

The Cabinet also decided to appoint Muhammad al-Halaiqa as the part-time Executive Chairman of the Economic and Social Council.