Jordan closes border with Syria after coronavirus returns

The Jordanian-Syrian border at the Jaber border post in 2018 (illustrative image). AP Photo / Raad Adayleh

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Trucks carrying goods between the two countries can no longer transit following a decision taken by the Jordanian government on Thursday. It was a small increase in the number of new coronavirus patients in the north of the country, a region bordering Syria that prompted the decision.

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With our correspondent in Amman, Jérôme Boruszewski

The border closure is complete and for one week. From now on, goods can no longer circulate between Jordan and Syria and all staff at the Jaber border post, on the Jordanian side, must be placed in quarantine.

It has been five months since people can cross the border between Jordan and Syria. Truck drivers could still cross it, but still had to be tested for the coronavirus.

53 new cases in 6 days

This decision shows once again that Jordan is taking extremely strict measures, as soon as the epidemiological situation deteriorates slightly. Indeed, in the last six days, Jordan has registered fifty-three new patients with Covid-19 after a long period without new cases. The Jordanian authorities have indicated that the evolution of the situation until this weekend will be closely observed in order to decide on the imposition, possibly, of new containment measures.

In the spring, Jordan had experienced episodes of total curfew , with an absolute ban on leaving one's home to refuel.

Amman international airport was to reopen on Wednesday August 12 with a few flights to Italy and Canada, but the day before, the authorities announced the postponement of the measure while at this period, no new patients were recorded in Jordan.

►Also listen: International report - Jordan: the tourism sector fears the worst

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  • Jordan
  • Syria
  • Trade and exchanges
  • Transport
  • Coronavirus
  • Health and medicine

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