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Jordanian King: The coronavirus is under control

King Abdullah II Reuters Jordan's King Abdullah II said on Sunday that his country had successfully brought the novel coronavirus "under control" and that it was time to focus on restarting the economy.

"We have successfully dealt with the coronavirus, which today is under control in Jordan," he said during a meeting with prominent Jordanians, according to AFP .

"But like every country in the world we have paid an economic price, and the time has come to focus... on the economic situation," a palace statement quoted him as saying.

Jordan, which has recorded 1,179 cases of the virus including 10 deaths, imposed a tough curfew enforced with drones to curb the spread of COVID-19, before easing policies in early June.

King Abdullah said that Jordan would "come out stronger (from the crisis) compared to other countries in the region".

Health authorities have almost daily been reporting new cases among Jordanians and foreigners entering the country.

They have also maintained social distancing measures, made face masks compulsory in most public places and required newly-arrived travelers to wear electronic bracelets to ensure that they observe quarantine.

King Abdullah acknowledged the impact of the crisis but said any decision to reopen would need to be "closely examined".

The tourism industry is a vital sector in Jordan. Before the coronavirus struck, Jordan hosted five million tourists a year, including at famous sites like Petra and Wadi Rum, bringing in $5 billion last year.

Tags: Jordan , King Abdullah II , Coronavirus