AMMAN — As of the beginning of 2022, students
entering any university campus or the premises of a higher education
establishment must have two shots of a
COVID-19 vaccine, confirmed the
Ministry of Higher Education in adherence to Defense Order 35.
اضافة اعلان
The latest
Ministry of Health data states that
63 percent of citizens aged 18 and above have received the first dose of the
vaccine and 57 percent have taken the two shots.
A vast majority of education and health
experts have praised the vaccine mandate for national higher education
institutions, urging citizens to adhere. Spokesperson for the Ministry of
Higher Education Muhannad Khatib told
Jordan
News that the provisions of
Defense Order 35 apply to all public places,
including universities, and will be applicable not only on students, but also
on faculty members.
“Teachers and staff will also be held
accountable in accordance with these regulations. Non-complying staff might
face obstacles like being prevented from proceeding with their educational
duties, and even being disallowed from receiving their wages,” said Khatib.
“We must remember that the government is doing
this to protect the safety of all students in Jordan. I’m not sure if
non-complying students will be expelled or suspended, but they will undoubtedly
be barred from attending physical classes, and this could be problematic
because missing around 15 percent of lectures for each class will create
academic complications,” he warned.
Director of public relations and media at
Yarmouk University Mukhles Ibbeni told
Jordan
News “this is the correct course of action taken by the government,” adding
that citizens have a legal obligation to obey the rules announced by any and
all defense orders. He also said that non-complying students will not be
allowed to campus.
“As long as there is a pandemic, these
regulations will most likely stay active, and we will have to remain vigilant
for the sake of our own well-being,” he said in response to a question on how
long these measures would stay in effect.
Individuals who have certain medical
conditions may be exempt from Defense Order 35, “as long as they are able to
present a valid medical report, certified by a medical professional, proving
their underlying condition,” said Ibbeni, while assuring that there will be
zero tolerance for individuals who attempt to avoid the regulations for reasons
other than medical.
Ibbeni was ardent in emphasizing that these
measures should not be perceived as “intruding” on the personal freedoms of
citizens, but should rather be interpreted as protective measures that are
meant to look after the populace.
“If a
person’s idea of freedom of choice involves risking the lives of others, then
this is an erroneous interpretation of the concept. In your home you have
freedom of choice, but when it comes to the public, collective interests
pertaining to safety transcend the interests of any individual,” he commented.
Commenting on a statement by the Ministry of
Health Secretary General on Saturday that the COVID-19 vaccine may become a
seasonal practice, Ibbeni said “while it is too early to definitively determine
if seasonal vaccines will become required in the future to enter a university
campus, it’s still a possibility that we cannot completely rule out as of yet”.
He urged citizens to obey Defense Orders and
to stay updated on the latest
COVID-19 regulations, to secure a safe future for
the Kingdom.
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