Jordan to close Syria border over coronavirus cases at crossing
Jordan has seen a drop in virus cases, with new infections recorded mainly among travellers arriving from abroad, but it registered 25 cases of the Covid-19 illness in the past two days, mostly at the Jaber crossing with its war-torn northern neighbour.
Interior Minister Salamah Hammad al-Sahaim decided on Wednesday "to close the Jaber border post for a week starting from Thursday morning," the official Petra news agency reported.
He ordered a "review of all procedures" at the country's other land borders to prevent them being the source of new outbreaks.
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Jordan has registered a total of 1,303 coronavirus infections, including 11 deaths.
Syria has confirmed over 1,000 cases in government-held areas, but the health ministry has admitted it lacks the "capacity... to carry out widespread testing in the provinces".
Agencies contributed to this report.
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