The Ministry of Health Monday approved the COVID-19 antibody test, which can be conducted after official approval from the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA).

According to the US Food and Drug Administration, the antibody test "looks for antibodies that are made by your immune system in response to a threat, such as a specific virus." This is different from the PCR test, which is a diagnostic test that "can show if you have an active coronavirus infection and should take steps to quarantine or isolate yourself from others."

Roya was the first media outlet to address this issue with a number of experts as well as the head of the Jordanian Pharmacists Association Zaid al-Kilani. During a live interview over the phone, Kilani said the justification provided by the Ministry of Health, as to why they do not allow antibody testing, was ‘not convincing.’

The Ministry sent an official letter to the JFDA saying they will allow public and private laboratories to conduct the antibody test, provided that it follows the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELIZA). 

The decision was made based on recommendations from the Laboratories Committee, which is part of the National Committee for Epidemics.