A total lockdown would be effective in terms of the health situation but has many negative effects on the economy and other aspects of life, said the Jordanian Prime Minister, Omar Al-Razzaz, in a meeting for the National Committee for Epidemics on Wednesday.

The meeting aimed to discuss the decisions to be taken regarding schools, universities and other sectors based on the latest developments of the COVID-19 situation in the Kingdom.

The coronavirus crisis is ongoing and the end date is unknown, he added.

The government must look at the effects of the coronavirus crisis on different sectors and make decisions that protect the health of citizens and reduce these negative effects, he said.

The government is aware of the implications of COVID-19 on education and stressed the importance of basing decisions on scientific data and recommendations issued by the National Committee for Epidemics.

The Minister of Health, Saad Jaber, said the government has been basing decisions on scientific information and recommendations from the National Committee for Epidemics since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis.

Jaber praised the measures taken by the Ministry of Education since the beginning of the school year including the closure of schools, in which positive COVID-19 cases have been recorded, and switching schools to distance learning in isolated areas and areas with a large number of cases.

The attendees shared their viewpoints regarding students' attendance and different expected scenarios, as coronavirus has spread across the whole kingdom.

The government reiterated the need to protect the health and safety of students, parents and educational staff as well as prevent further spreading of the virus.