COVID-19: Jordan sacks Ministers for breaching emergency health regulations

*The Jordanian Government has sacked both Interior and Justice Ministers for breaching Coronavirus health regulations and protocols with their immediate replacements named by a royal decree

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

For constituting a law unto themselves as the country intensifies efforts at curbing the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Jordanian Government has sacked both Interior and Justice Ministers for breaching health regulations cum virus protocols with their immediate replacements named by a royal decree.

Prime Minister Bisher al-Khasawneh of Jordan asked the erring Ministers to step down Sunday, February 28, in a move immediately endorsed by King Abdullah II, according to a statement from the royal palace.

A government source stated that the duo were accused of “having violated the emergency law” put in place to curb COVID-19 in the country.

The Jordanian news Web site Ammon reported that Interior Minister Samir Mobaideen and Justice Minister Bassam Talhuni had attended a dinner in a restaurant in Amman with a total of nine people, when the law actually allowed a maximum of six.

Tawfiq Krishan, Deputy Prime Minister and in charge of local administration, was appointed as the new Interior Minister.

Ahmed Ziyadat, State Secretary for Legal Affairs, was also named as justice minister, AFP report said.

Recall that following a surge in virus cases, Jordan of late toughened its COVID-19 restrictions, returning to rules imposed March 2020, and which were only eased last month.

Jordan, which began vaccinations January 2021, has officially recorded more than 386,000 Coronavirus cases and 4,675 deaths out of a population of 10.5 million people.