COVID-19: Jordan denies shutting border with Saudi Arabia

Cairo: Jordan today denied closing a border crossing with Saudi Arabia after reports said the outlet had been shut over new coronavirus infections.

Jordan’s official news agency Petra quoted the interior minister as saying that the Al Omari crossing with Saudi Arabia will not be closed.

The Jordanian online newspaper Al Ghad, citing a trade unionist, said that the Al Omari crossing, one of three on the Jordanian-Saudi border, was closed after 18 virus infections were recorded among its employees.

Head of the Fruit and Vegetables Exporters Saadi Abu Hamad told the paper that the closure is a precaution to contain the spread of the virus and that no date has been set for reopening the crossing.

The Jordanian Health Ministry confirmed the infections and said the patients will be transferred to quarantine hospitals.

Last week, Jordan closed the Jaber trade crossing with Syria after an increase in virus cases. Today, Jordan said the closure of the crossing will be extended for one more week, according to Petra.