This week, Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya announced the start of full operations of the Jaber border post with Syria, starting Sunday morning, Aug. 1. 

The new measures will include:

Abolishing the reciprocal transportation system (back to back) for goods and passengers; allowing buses to cross to and back from the Syrian side; allowing people of different nationalities to leave for Syria without the need for prior approval from the Jordanian side; allowing foreign travel vehicles to operate between the two countries at a rate of 100 vehicles per day; and allowing transit buses from Syria to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to cross, provided they register on the “Tawakulna” platform for the Saudi side.

Al-Faraya explained that Jordan is in full contact with the Syrian side on logistical matters, indicating that there is coordination in the event of any change in the procedures followed, whether from the health or security side.

Prime Minister Bishr Al-Khasawneh directed the Minister of Interior, during his visit to the Jaber border post, to raise the number of arrivals at the entry platform for arrivals through the crossing to 500 within two weeks, in addition to allowing people leaving through the crossing of different nationalities to leave without obtaining approval from the Ministry of Interior.

He noted the study of extending these procedures to the Al-Karama crossing, which connects Jordan and Iraq.

Additionally, the implementation of Defense Order No. 32 is scheduled to enter into force as of next Thursday.

The defense order is to regulate the work of individuals who have not received the coronavirus vaccine in public and private sector facilities.

The following is the text of the defense as stated in the Official Gazette issue, which is effective as of 5/8/2021:

1- Every employee in the public sector who did not receive the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine or missed the appointment for the second dose must bring a negative (PCR) test that is valid for 72 hours on Sunday and Thursday mornings of each week and hand it over to his direct manager.

A public sector employee who violates the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this clause is not allowed to work, and the days in which he is not allowed to work shall be deducted from the balance of his annual leaves, and if he exhausts the balance of his annual leaves, those days shall be deducted from his salary and allowances.

2- It is prohibited to issue any work permit or renew annual residency to any person who has not received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine or missed the date of the second dose.

3- Every driver of a public transport vehicle who did not receive the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine or missed the appointment for the second dose must periodically conduct a PCR examination, provided that he has, while working on the vehicle, a negative PCR examination certificate, the result of which is not older than 72 hours.

Anyone who violates the provisions of paragraph (1) of this item shall be punished with a fine of no less than (100) dinars and not more than (500) dinars, and in the event of repetition, he shall be punished with the maximum fine.

4- Every faculty or administrative staff member or student in any of the higher education institutions who did not receive the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine or missed the appointment for the second dose must bring a negative PCR test that is valid for (72) hours every morning Sunday and Thursday of each week and handed over to his direct supervisor for a faculty or administrative staff member and to the dean of the college or his representative for the student.

A faculty or administrative staff member who violates the provisions of paragraph (1) of this clause is not allowed to work, and the days in which he is not allowed to work are deducted from the balance of his annual leaves, and if he exhausts the balance of his annual leaves, those days are deducted from his salary and allowances. A student who violates the provisions of the same paragraph will be considered absent without an excuse.

5- A member of the teaching and administrative staff in educational institutions who did not receive the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine or missed the appointment for the second dose must bring a negative PCR test that is valid for 72 hours on Sunday and Thursday mornings of each week and hand it over to his immediate superior.

A member of the teaching or administrative staff who violates the provisions of paragraph (1) of this clause is not allowed to work, and the days in which he is not allowed to work shall be deducted from the balance of his annual leaves, and if he exhausts the balance of his annual leaves, those days shall be deducted from his salary and allowances.

6- Educational institutions and higher education institutions that violate the provisions of items (fourth) and (fifth) of this defense order shall be punished with a fine of no less than (1,000) dinars and not more than (3000) dinars.

7- Workers in private sector facilities who did not receive the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine or missed the appointment for the second dose should bring a negative (PCR) test that is valid for 72 hours on Sunday and Thursday mornings of each week.

A facility worker who violates the provisions of paragraph (1) of this clause is not allowed to work, and the days in which he is not allowed to work shall be deducted from the balance of his annual leaves, and if he exhausts the balance of his annual leaves, those days shall be deducted from his wages.

The facility that violates the provisions of this clause will be closed for a week if the violation is for the first time, and for two weeks if the violation is repeated.

8- For all persons who are obligated to conduct a PCR examination under this Defense Order, it shall be carried out at the examination centers of the Ministry of Health free of charge.

9- Paragraph 3 of the first clause of Defense Order No. 20 of 2020 is amended by canceling the phrase (each team consists of at least two people accompanied by a public security member) at the end of it.

10- The provisions of clauses (first), (second), (third) and (ninth) of this defense order shall be effective as of 5/8/2021.

2- The provisions of clauses (Fourth) to (Sixth) of this defense order shall take effect from 15/8/2021.

3- The provisions of Clause (Seventh) of this Defense Order shall take effect from 1/9/2021.

11- The Prime Minister may extend the provisions of this defense order or amend any of its provisions in light of the epidemiological situation by virtue of notifications he issues for this purpose.