Policy for Pandemics 04: The Jordanian Response to COVID-19
The Jordanian government has taken an aggressive approach to fighting the pandemic, trying to balance wide emergency powers with a focus on measures that enhance social solidarity
The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged global policy makers in ways unheard of in most of our lifetimes. This newsletter will attempt to provide short, accessible briefings on as many of the relevant policy challenges as possible. This briefing is written by Riad Katkhoda (RK), a graduate student in the Masters in Public Policy Program at Max Bell who has been geeking out on policy options to battle the pandemic since day one of self-isolation.
The unfolding COVID-19 pandemic is battering economies around the world, but Jordan is exceptionally ill-prepared to weather the economic hit of our current crisis. The economy has been struggling for years, thanks to myriad exogenous shocks that include the Arab Spring, the Syrian refugee crisis, and the disruption of the main gas pipelines from Egypt.
Meanwhile, as the number of infections from COVID-19 increased globally, the Jordanian Government dithered and continued to debate what policy measures to take. Since the identification of the first case of COVID-19 on March 2nd confirmed cases have risen steadily by approximately 15 individuals per day. As of March 24th there are 153 cases, and the Government of Jordan (GoJ) has been forced into action. This short brief is intended to provide the reader with a glimpse of the most important measures enacted to date.
On containment: Approximately two weeks following the identification of the first COVID-case, the Prime Minister announced that in light of the accelerating global developments, to protect the nation and its citizens, all flights in and out of the country were suspended (effective within 48 hours), borders were closed (with some exceptions made for cargo flights and diplomats), schools were closed, and a two-week self quarantine period was in effect.
The measures resulted in a large influx of individuals returning to Jordan within the short span of time (48 hours) with a high risk of contamination, as these individuals were mostly in countries that have had advanced spreads of confirmed COVID-19 cases. To avoid any unnecessary outbreaks, the GoJ imposed obligatory quarantine measures by renting out hotels in the capital (Amman) and the Dead sea to quarantine people there for 14 days.
Self-quarantine for the rest of the population proved to be somewhat ineffective because citizens did not take the measures seriously, primarily due to cultural attitudes that stem from both mistrust of government and a general lack of awareness. In response, the GoJ enacted the Defence Law of 1992 and imposed a state of emergency that enforced a state of lockdown on all citizens except those working in certain public and private sector roles. As the crisis continues to unfold, essential items such as water, bread, formula and other necessities will be delivered directly to citizens. Earlier this week, the government embarked on a logistical challenge of providing bread to approximately 10 million Jordanians.
On economic measures: On the economic front, GoJ announced the following policies: (i) the deferral of the collection of sales tax from businesses in order to ensure liquidity at the present time; (ii) implementing measures that would enact price ceilings for consumer protection; and (iii) the early disbursement of public sector salaries and pensions for the month of March.
Additionally, the Central Bank of Jordan took the following steps:
the delay of loan instalment payment by companies and the rescheduling of retail loans to ease losses suffered by businesses and help individual borrowers
the reduction in the main policy rate by 150 basis points to offset the economic effects of travel restriction, supply disruptions, and business closures
the reduction of cash reserve requirements that banks must maintain from 7% to 5%
the release of additional liquidity of around 550 Million Jordanian Dinars (approx. $1.1 billion CDN) into the economy.
On education: Schools have closed for the foreseeable future and alternative education delivery modes are being explored. Within days of the quarantine announcement, the GoJ introduced a new online platform to cater to all grades, in addition to television delivery for students that do not have access to laptops or internet. During the first day of operation, 521,000 out of an estimated 2 million students accessed this new platform. Post-secondary education policies are similar to Canadian university policies: campuses are closed, exams are postponed, and courses have switched to online learning.
On social protection: GoJ’s response is rooted in the principles of social solidarity with a specific focus on ensuring that the disruptions to the everyday life does not affect Jordanian’s wellbeing.
The Ministry of Social Development announced a set of policies which include additional monetary assistance to low income families; the preparation of food packages for low income families to be distributed based on needs analysis; and regulating the work being conducted by various NGOS and other charitable organizations to ensure safety of citizens and families receiving assistance.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy is suspending electricity shutdowns for households that have not paid for two months, and allowing instalment payment options for businesses that have been negatively affected.
Furthermore, civil society NGOS are using online platforms to source donations from large corporations and from citizens to help prepare care packages for low income families and day labourers. In addition, large donations from corporations have been pooled into a COVID-19 fund to support the Ministry of Health.
Jordan’s fight to contain the virus and “flatten the curve” is on the more aggressive side of the global policy response spectrum. Whether this is the right approach or not is yet to be determined. What has been already determined is an unprecedented level of solidarity and cohesion between the GoJ and the Jordanian people. In these uncertain times, the wise words of Churchill inform Jordan’s response: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.” (RK)
Related Reading
Jordan has eased the curfew slightly, allowing some shops to open
The UN has called for a ceasefire in Syria to focus on fighting COVID-29
India has begun the world’s largest COVID-19 lockdown
What else is happening in the world?
The economic crisis in Venezuela has left nearly a million children after parents migrate
Scotland’s First Minister acquitted of 13 alleged sex charges
Virginia becomes the first state in the south of the United States to mandate 100% clean power
Distractions:
The Canadian Museum of Nature is running a contest to choose Canada’s national lichen (let’s go Xanthoria elegans!)
The definitive guide to every Canadian TV series worth watching on streaming services
Cherry-blossom season started in Japan!
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Policy for Pandemics is produced and edited by Andrew Potter. The co-editors are Paisley Sim and Charlotte Reboul. If you have any feedback or would like to contribute, feel free to send an email to andrew2.potter@mcgill.ca