Jordanians urged to get vaccinated

AMMAN — Authorities have started taking measures to prevent the spread of a new corona virus variant, Omicron, in Jordan. The World Health Organization declared the mutated virus, first detected in South Africa a few days ago, as being “of concern”, mentioning on its site that early evidence suggests an increased reinfection risk.اضافة اعلان

Member of the Epidemiology Committee Hamed Al-Zoubi told Jordan News that while Jordan has no recorded cases of the new variant, “the COVID-19 vaccines play a major role in preventing the spread of the mutated virus” and that in order to protect themselves and the communities they live in, Jordanians are urged to take the vaccine.

Vaccines have proven to be effective in protecting humans against different mutated viruses, he said, adding that several mutated variants have already spread in different countries of the world, but the latest mutation is worrisome and alarming, “which is why we encourage people to take the vaccine”.
Al-Zoubi stressed that unvaccinated people may be most affected by the corona virus, which has more mutations than many other previous viruses.
Zoubi urged citizens to get vaccinated, but also to adhere to the recommended safety measures, such as wearing masks, respecting physical distancing and sanitizing constantly.


(Photo: Ameer Khalifeh/Jordan News)

He stressed that Jordan has the ability to prevent this virus from spreading, especially that health expertise in dealing with the COVID-19 has developed, but also that in case of need, the country has witnessed an increase in bed capacity in hospitals and an infusion of needed medical devices.

The Ministry of Health monitors entry of citizens into Jordan and requires proof of laboratory tests for COVID-19 at all its points of entry.

Secretary-General of the Ministry of Health for Epidemiology Affairs Adel Al-Balbisi said that “Jordan had not recorded any case of the Omicron variant so far”, adding that the ministry is monitoring the epidemiological situation in the Kingdom, and at the borders, in addition to imposing certain conditions on people arriving from African countries.


(Photo: Ameer Khalifeh/Jordan News)

He also stressed the need for citizens to take the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as the booster dose, to prevent the spread of the virus.

The Ministry of Interior has announced that as of Sunday, non-Jordanians coming from certain African countries will not be allowed to enter the Kingdom before a 14-day lapse from the date they departed their countries to other countries where the new virus is not present.

Jordanians coming from these countries will have to quarantine for 14 days, at their own expense.

The Ministry of the Interior said that it took precautionary measures against individuals coming from South Africa, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, and Botswana.

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