Wednesday, the government held a press conference at the Prime Ministry to discuss the developments of the COVID-19 situation in the Kingdom, and the new measures that will be imposed in order to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

The Minister of Health Nathir Obeidat began by acknowledging the difficult times that Jordan is going through in terms of the pandemic.

"During these exceptional circumstances, the government and citizens must work together to preserve the health and safety of all," said Obeidat, noting that non-compliance to the set health measures will lead to painful results without a doubt.

However, he ensured that the significant increase in the capabilities of the hospitals and the health sector, especially in the past few months, has prepared Jordan to withstand "great pandemic pressure."

The government is doing everything it can to acquire additional doses of the vaccine and will accelerate the national vaccination campaign, he said.

Obeidat urged citizens and residents to register for vaccination, as this is a major weapon against the pandemic.

The spread of the virus is increasing in intensity due to both small and large gatherings, Obeidat said, adding that transmission is occuring with much greater speeds and frequencies than the previous strains.

The Minister of Interior, Mazen Faraya, stated that Jordan has witnessed a high amount of non-compliance which increased the number of COVID-19 cases in an unprecedented manner.

He said that Jordan has reached a point where it records four cases per minute, calling on citizens to refrain from holding funerals and weddings during the pandemic.

Additionally, he noted that a funeral is held every 20 minutes due to the coronavirus.

The Minister of State for Media Affairs, Sakher Dudin, reassured citizens that there will not be a long-term total lockdown in Jordan.

However, he stated that as of Saturday March 13, 2021, the new curfew hours will go into effect, to start at 7pm for citizens, and 6pm for establishments, until 6am every day.

He added that the government made an exception for the agricultural sector to start operating at 5am instead of 6am.

Dudin said that the Friday lockdown will last until the end of March. He stressed that no one is permitted to be outdoors during Friday lockdowns, even on foot.

He said that Friday prayers for Muslims and Sunday mass for Christians will no longer be permitted.

Dudin stated that the government has decided to reduce the permitted capacity on all modes of public transport to 50 percent.

He added that beginning Saturday and until March 31, all night clubs, bars and sites which serve alcoholic drinks including those within tourist restaurants will be closed.

Also, indoor swimming pools will be closed between the aforementioned dates, including those within hotel establishments, tourist residential complexes and hotels.

All sports facilities, gyms, and public parks will also face closures until March 31.

The Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Mohammed Al-Khalaileh said that the decision to cancel Friday prayers is hard, but losing loved ones is harder.

The Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Amman, Christophoros Atallah, stressed the need to abide by the set health measures in order to return to mosques and churches.