Jordan slaps wristbands on arrivals to monitor coronavirus quarantine

Jordan has commenced putting electronic bracelets on travellers who recently arrived in the country, starting from Saturday 4 July, 2020.

An official said the new move is put in place to ensure new arrivals in Jordan observe home-quarantine against the spread of coronavirus infection.

Jordan’s virus task force spokesman, Nizar Obeidat, said that people arriving in the country must self-quarantine for 14 days at hotels designated by authorities on the shores of the Dead Sea, west of the capital Amman.

Nizar added that travellers arriving in the country must self-quarantine for additional 14 days at home upon completion of their self-quarantine at hotels.

“The use of the electronic bracelet began on Saturday for those in self-quarantine at home,” he said.

As part of measures against COVID-19 spread, Jordan imposed curfews and deployed drones before easing the policies in early June.

Other measures maintained include social distancing and the compulsory use of face masks in most public places, with fines for rules violators.

There have, however, been reports recently about daily new cases among Jordanians and foreigners entering the country.

Responses to coronavirus worldwide have seen several countries turn to electronic tracking devices including bracelets and smart watches connected to special applications to contain the spread of the disease.

In March, Hong Kong demanded all arrivals from overseas to wear electronic bracelets to monitor observance of quarantine.

Countries like South Korea, China, Taiwan and Singapore have also used a range of tech solutions to the novel coronavirus.

The Kingdom, with nearly 10.3 million population, has so far recorded 1,147 cases and 10 deaths from the coronavirus disease.