Ministerial delegation visits Omari crossing, Hammad outlines new safety measures

AMMAN — Minister of Interior Salameh Hammad on Sunday affirmed the government's keenness to take the best possible measures to provide Jordan with the highest levels of protection and safety against COVID-19, especially at border-crossings, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Hammad made these remarks during a visit to the Omari border crossing between Jordan and Saudi Arabia, accompanied by Health Minister Saad Jaber, Public Works and Housing Minister Falah Omoush, Transport Minister Khaled Saif, Jordan Customs Department (JCD) Director Maj. Gen. Abdulmajeed Rahmaneh, Zarqa Governor Hijazi Assaf and Coronavirus Crisis Cell Director Brig. Gen. Mazen Faraiah, among others.

The ministerial delegation was briefed on the most important safety measures in place at the border crossing in terms of commercial shipping operations, goods transport and arrivals, to prevent the transmission of the virus into the Kingdom.

Hammad said that new measures, involving quarantining and examining drivers, cars and trucks, will be taken to ensure smooth procedures at the crossing.

Measures will also be taken to prepare yards at the crossing through the Ministry of Public Works and Housing to receive trucks and ensure the swift transport of materials within Jordan and to Arab Gulf countries, he said.

Hammad pointed out that the JCD will issue a decision to clear the goods at the Omari crossing, with the aim of eliminating some procedures that hinder the speed of imports reaching Amman customs.

The Interior minister said that the government is considering more measures to prioritise importing health and food materials and supplies necessary to preserve the health and safety of citizens through the Omari border crossing.

The ministerial team was briefed on the most prominent issues and observations related to the functioning of the border crossing and the governmental institutions connected to it.

The ministers stressed that Jordan’s main priority, under Royal directives, is to preserve the safety of citizens and limit the spread of COVID-19 inside the Kingdom.