Wednesday declared public holiday

AMMAN — The government has declared Wednesday a public holiday due to adverse weather conditions.

In view of the expected blizzard, all ministries and government departments will be off for the day, according to a communiqué issued by Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The decision was taken as the Jordan Meteorological Department and the Civil Defence Department (CDD) warned of a polar front that started to impact the Kingdom Tuesday and is forecast to prevail until Saturday. 

The CDD has urged the public not to leave their homes unless for an emergency.

Education Minister Mohammad Thneibat announced that the General Secondary Certificate Examination (Tawjihi) winter session exams that were scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday will be postponed due to the forecast severe weather conditions, according to Petra. 

The decision was taken as a precautionary measure to ensure students’ safety. No information was given on when the exams will be held. 

The Education Ministry also announced that all public and private schools will be closed.

Several universities also decided to suspend classes on Wednesday and Thursday due to the expected snowstorm, Petra said. 

The University of Jordan (UJ), Al Isra University, Al al Bayt University, Balqa Applied University, the Hashemite University, the German-Jordanian University, the University of Petra, Zarqa University, Ajloun National University and the World Islamic Sciences and Education University will be closed on January 7 and 8. 

UJ moved the final exams scheduled for Wednesday to Monday and those on Thursday to Tuesday, according to Petra.

Moreover, all banks operating in the Kingdom will observe a public holiday on Wednesday, the Central Bank of Jordan announced on Tuesday. 

The Ras Al Ain popular market, better known as Friday market, will be closed on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the Greater Amman Municipality said in a statement carried by Petra.

The King Hussein Bridge will also be closed to Arabs and tourists at 7pm and for VIPs at 6 pm on Wednesday, due to the forecast blizzard. 

Moreover, the bridge will be closed to diplomats, officials and UN delegations at 10pm, the Public Security Department media centre said, adding that there will be no changes to cargo movement.