Jordanian authorities have lifted almost all coronavirus restrictions since last Ramadan although vaccination rates in the kingdom remain low.
Officials justified the move as necessary to spur economic activity, after a sharp slowdown in the last decade, aggravated by the pandemic.
Only 40 per cent of Jordan's 10 million population have been vaccinated, Health Ministry data shows.
Unlike last Ramadan there are no curfews and mosques can house a full capacity of worshippers. The only rule worshippers should observe is to wear a mask. Restaurants and other businesses are no longer restricted in how many customers they can serve.
Official figures show at least 14,000 people have died of Covid-19 in Jordan, almost double the number of deaths at the onset of last Ramadan. More than 1.68 million infections have been recorded, compared with 665,000 last Ramadan.
Those travelling to Jordan are no longer required to show a negative PCR test before they board flights to the kingdom or cross its land borders. But they are still required to fill out a Covid-19-related data sheet online.
Government departments work shorter hours during Ramadan and are open from 10am to 3pm. The shorter hours do not apply to the private sector.
Here’s everything you need to know about Ramadan 2022:
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth and holiest month of the Islamic – or Hijri – calendar. It is also believed to be the month the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed.
Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset on every day of the month, which is typically either 29 or 30 days in length.
As well as abstaining from food and drink, Muslims strengthen their faith through prayer and increased recitation of the Quran.
When does Ramadan begin?
Ramadan will most probably start on April 2. Jordan has traditionally followed Saudi Arabia by declaring the start of Ramadan on the same day as Riyadh, although Jordan’s Religious Affairs Ministry assigns staff to look for the new crescent moon on the 29th day of Shaban to determine when the next month begins.
What are the Covid-19 rules in Jordan during Ramadan?
There are no longer any coronavirus rules in place in Jordan, except for mask-wearing indoors in places such as shopping centres and supermarkets.
Vaccination is not mandatory but businesses, such as supermarkets and most shops, are required to ask customers for proof of vaccination before letting them in. The requirement, however, is rarely enforced.
Are group iftars allowed in Jordan during Ramadan?
They are now allowed after having been banned last Ramadan. Restaurants are also open for customers dining in.
What etiquette should I follow if I’m not fasting this Ramadan?
Eating in public during fasting hours in Ramadan is frowned upon in Jordan and is technically illegal, so could result in arrest or a fine. This also applies to smoking.
Alcohol shops are closed throughout the holy month.
Ovo's tips to find extra heat
- Open your curtains when it’s sunny
- Keep your oven open after cooking
- Have a cuddle with pets and loved ones to help stay cosy
- Eat ginger but avoid chilli as it makes you sweat
- Put on extra layers
- Do a few star jumps
- Avoid alcohol
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Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 611bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Price: upon application
On sale: now
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'
Rating: 3/5
Directed by: David Yates
Starring: Mads Mikkelson, Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Jude Law
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
TOURNAMENT INFO
Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier
Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi
Australia tour of Pakistan
March 4-8: First Test, Rawalpindi
March 12-16: Second Test, Karachi
March 21-25: Third Test, Lahore
March 29: First ODI, Rawalpindi
March 31: Second ODI, Rawalpindi
April 2: Third ODI, Rawalpindi
April 5: T20I, Rawalpindi
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
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PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
THE APPRENTICE
Director: Ali Abbasi
Starring: Sebastian Stan, Maria Bakalova, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 3/5
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