Day: January 9, 2023

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MENA Press Releases PRNewswire

CGTN: China downgrades COVID-19 rules as nation readies for normal life

BEIJING, Jan. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — China put its downgraded COVID-19 measures into force on Sunday as the nation began to resume normal life after three years of strict pandemic management.

The nation reopened its border ports for cargo transportation as well as inbound and outbound visitors. It also resumed services for Chinese citizens to apply for passports and visas for business and recreation.

Quarantine and on-site COVID-19 tests for the inbound visitors were scrapped, as well as preventative disinfection on imported goods and sampling inspection on cold-chain food.

The country will no longer enforce quarantine measures or mass COVID-19 tests. Practices of identifying close contacts or designating high- and low-risk areas have also discontinued.

Policy changes

China downgraded management of COVID-19 from Class A to Class B and removed it from quarantinable infectious disease management following an array of recent policy shifts regarding the virus, as the nation hit a full vaccination rate of over 90 percent and the COVID-19 virus exhibited less severity.

During the pandemic, COVID-19 was classified as a Class-B infectious disease but was subject to the preventive and control measures for a Class-A infectious disease in China, coming with stringent policies such as quarantine and frequent epidemiological surveys.

China has categorized 40 notifiable infectious diseases in three classes (Class A, Class B and Class C). Plague and cholera are listed as Class A infectious diseases. SARS, AIDS and tuberculosis are among the Class B infectious diseases. Class C infectious diseases include influenza and mumps.

An infectious disease is categorized based on a comprehensive assessment of multiple factors including pathogen characteristics, symptoms, how far and fast it can spread, how much it harms health, its social and economic influence, as well as group immunity and health system capability, according to Liang Wannian, head of the COVID-19 response expert panel under China’s National Health Commission (NHC).

“At the outbreak of the pandemic, we categorized COVID-19 as a Class B disease but applied Class A management because of its rapid spread,” said Liang, adding that they didn’t know much about the disease at the beginning, and such management was needed to protect people.

Liang explained some key conditions have changed recently including the less deadly virus mutation, high vaccination rate and the country’s growing epidemic response support, all of which built a great foundation to make new adjustments.

“We are ready to downgrade it to Class B management to respond to the infections in a more precise, scientific manner,” said Liang.

The expert also stressed that the downgraded management doesn’t mean the country has no control on or has stopped all preventative measures against the virus.

“It means we are stepping up our health services and epidemic response capability,” said Liang.

China renamed the Chinese term for COVID-19 in December from “novel coronavirus pneumonia” to “novel coronavirus infection” to more accurately describe the disease.

Stepped-up COVID-19 response

The NHC released its 10th edition of the guidelines for COVID-19 infection prevention and control on Saturday, emphasizing the importance of boosting vaccination among high risk groups such as the elderly.

It reinforced monitoring and early warning capabilities, including regular monitoring on virus mutation, unknown pneumonia, urban wastewater, hospitals and extra steps in emergency such as monitoring among key groups.

Communities will no longer go through mass COVID-19 tests, which will be provided for those who require them.

“For now, medical treatment for severe cases is our priority,” said Liang. He said further boosting vaccination, virus monitoring and suburb healthcare capability are of great importance.

“For any contagious disease like this, it’s not enough to only depend on the government,” Liang said, “it depends on the synergy coming from the government, society, all the organizations and each one of us.”

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-01-08/China-downgrades-COVID-19-rules-as-nation-readies-for-normal-life-1gqlRta1jZS/index.html

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1979318/CGTN_Covid_Infographic.jpg

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MENA Press Releases PRNewswire

CGTN: Revival in China’s domestic and outbound tourism expected after COVID policy shift

BEIJING, Jan. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — China removed certain COVID-19 restrictions on international passenger flights on Sunday, with domestic and international tourism expected to pick up steam as the Spring Festival holiday approaches.

Measures will be taken to ensure that freight at various ports will return to pre-epidemic levels as soon as possible and that outbound tourism for Chinese citizens will be resumed in an orderly manner, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

The optimized policies and measures include the resumption of accepting and approving Chinese citizens’ applications for ordinary passports for tourism purposes and visiting friends abroad.

China also optimized its regulations on travel between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao, according to a statement of the State Council Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office. International travelers will be able to enter the mainland via Hong Kong and Macao, and restrictions on the passenger load factor for flights between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao will be lifted, according to the document.

According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on Monday, China saw about 52.7 million domestic tourist visits during the previous three-day New Year holiday, up 0.44 percent year on year.

The tourism revenue generated over the holiday exceeded 26.5 billion yuan (about $3.8 billion), up 4 percent from the same period last year, according to the ministry.

“The national culture and tourism market is generally safe, smooth and orderly,” the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said.

Short-distance tours are trendy among travelers during the holiday period, with sustained popularity for ice and snow activities and camping among young people, according to the ministry. The data also shows a steady recovery in the country’s medium- and long-distance travel, with some online travel agencies reporting a significant increase in ticket bookings for cross-provincial and cross-border tourism over the holiday.

Given the significant number of potential Chinese tourists, the recovery of China’s outbound travel is expected to play a vital role in the rebound of both domestic and global tourism markets.

Within half an hour of the reopening policy announcement, searches for overseas destinations shot up by 1,000 percent, hitting a three-year high, according to Chinese online travel agency Ctrip.

Other Asian countries are among the first ones to benefit from this wave of outbound travel. Data from Trip.com Group showed that the number of orders for outbound flight tickets sold soared 254 percent on the morning of December 27, compared with the same time a day earlier. Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Japan and Thailand were among Chinese tourists’ most popular destinations.

As China’s policy of optimizing regulations on travel continues to generate strong interest globally, tourism authorities in several countries, including Thailand, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Denmark, have posted on Weibo since December 27, inviting Chinese tourists to visit.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-01-08/Revival-in-China-s-tourism-industry-expected-after-COVID-policy-shift-1gpXuxx1Cak/index.html

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General

Lower House refers 2023 draft general budget to Finance Committee

Amman, The Lower House of Parliament on Monday referred the draft general budget for 2023 to its Finance Committee.

The house’s decision was taken following Finance Minister Mohamad Al-Ississ’ speech outlining the main figures of the 2023 draft budget.

Members of the Parliament presented observations on the draft budget, calling on the government to find radical solutions that address the economic challenges facing the state, alleviate the suffering of citizens who face difficult economic conditions, and deal with poverty and unemployment.

This year’s budget is estimated at JD11.431 billion, including JD9.569 billion in public revenues, such as JD8.767 billion in domestic revenues and JD802 million in external grants, according to Al-Ississ.

Public expenditures are estimated at JD9.839 billion, and capital expenditures at JD1.591 billion, while the fiscal deficit of the budget is estimated at JD1.862 billion.

The house’s meeting, chaired by Speaker Ahmad Safadi, was attended by Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh and the Cabinet members.

Safadi adjourned the meeting to a date to be determined later.

Source: Jordan News Agency

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General

Agriculture Ministry: No foot-and-mouth outbreak in Jordan

Amman, The Ministry of Agriculture confirmed Monday denied there was an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in cattle farms in Dhlail in Zarqa Governorate.

Assistant Secretary-General of the Animal Resources Department at the ministry Ali Abu Nuqtah said that foot-and-mouth infections were found in only five farms, adding that cows have been vaccinated by the private sector and the Ministry.

He assured that the disease does not pose a threat to humans or cause death to animals, but it decreases the daily productivity of cows as a result of high temperature during the infection period.

The ministry, he said, is fully prepared to deal with such cases, adding that samples were sent to University of Science and Technology laboratories to determine infections and symptoms, if any.

He said veterinary quarantine and other precautions have been introduced, calling for not spreading false statements that would tarnish the reputation of local products.

Source: Jordan News Agency

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General

Safadi meets deputy head of Yemen Presidential Leadership Council

Amman, Lower House Speaker Ahmed Safadi Monday reiterated Jordan’s full support of Yemen’s unity, security and stability and the country’s legitimate government.

Safadi spoke as he welcomed deputy head of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Othman Mjali, who briefed him on latest developments in Yemen and efforts to bring about security and stability and restore legitimacy in the war-torn country.

He said Jordan supports the “brothers in Yemen in various fields and all international forums until peace, security and stability are restored and the unity of their land is guaranteed.”

For his part, Mjali commended Jordan for standing by Yemeni people, adding that the country is in dire need of Arab solidarity and support of the leadership council, the government and the Yemeni people in the face of militias that “violate the land and humans, exploit resources and serve foreign agendas to destabilize the region, neighboring countries and territorial waters in Bab al-Mandeb Strait and threaten maritime navigation.”

Source: Jordan News Agency

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General

Man convicted of extortion, handed 3-year jail term

Amman, The Amman magistrates court Monday found a man guilty of extortion and bullying for destroying a restaurant owner’s vehicle and coercively taking money from him, and sentenced him to three years in jail.

During public sessions, the court found that the convict had a criminal record with dozens of honor crimes, theft, attempted theft, bribery and resistance, and was placed under house arrest several times but failed to heed the court orders.

In the details, the man came to a restaurant in Amman and bought sandwiches but refused to pay, bullied the owner using a sharp object and destroyed his vehicle with an axe that was in his position. He later returned to the restaurant and severely damaged the owner’s vehicle, according to a report filed by a security center.

Under the Code of Criminal Procedure, the court found the defendant guilty of the crime of using force against a person and threatening him with violence, and sentenced him to a three-year imprisonment.

Source: Jordan News Agency

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General

Hardline Jewish settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque

Occupied Jerusalem, Scores of Jewish extremist settlers on Monday stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque/ al-Haram al-Sharif compound in occupied East Jerusalem, according to an official Palestinian source.

A statement by the Islamic Awqaf and Al-Aqsa Affairs said that today’s raid was conducted through al-Magharebah Gate in successive groups, under the heavy protection of Israeli police.

“The settlers provocatively toured the Mosque’s yards, and performed Talmudic rituals amid a state of anger inside the compound,” it added.

Source: Jordan News Agency

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Government Policy

Foreign Ministry condoles Senegal over victims of traffic accident

Amman, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates on monday expressed its condolences to the government and people of Senegal over victims of the traffic accident on Sunday near the town of Kaffrine, southeast of the capital Dakar, resulting in a number of casualties and injuries on Sunday.

The Ministry voiced the Kingdom’s sympathy with the government and people of Senegal, expressing its condolences to the families of the victims, and wishing a speedy recovery for the injured.

Source: Jordan News Agency

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Government Policy

Gov’t presents 2023 draft budget to parliament, expects deficit at JD1.862bln

Amman, The government on Monday presented the 2023 draft general budget law to Parliament, estimating total spending at JD11.432 billion and the deficit after foreign aid at JD1.862 billion.

Finance Minister Mohamad Al-Ississ said in a speech outlining the main figures of the 2023 draft budget that the budget primary deficit the difference between government revenues and spending, excluding interest payments is projected to continue falling for a third straight year, landing at 2.9 of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Current expenditure in the 2023 draft budget, the minister indicated, is projected at JD9.839 billion, up by JD766 million or 8.4 percent compared with 2022. He said that a JD312 million increase in payrolls for government employees, military personnel, and retirees is the main factor driving the increase in current spending.

Furthermore, Al-Ississ stated that the increase in current expenditures is attributable in part to a JD149-million increase in interest payments, which will total JD1.577 billion due to higher global rates.

According to the minister, 82 percent of current spending will be used to pay interest payments, public employee salaries, and pensions.

Capital spending is projected to total JD1.592 billion, up 7 percent, or JD104 million, from 2022’s budgeted amount.

The funds designated for capital expenditures will support both new projects and those already in progress. Thus, the minister said that the 2023 budget estimates total spending of JD11.432 billion, an increase of JD871 million, or 8.2 percent, from the 2022 budget.

Al-Ississ said that domestic revenue would total JD8.767 billion, an increase of JD829 million, or 10.4 percent, from the previous year. He elaborated that the government expects an increase of JD696 million in tax revenue and JD133 million in other forms of income.

The minister pointed out that the government expects foreign assistance to amount to JD802 million in 2023 against JD796 million in 2022.

Accordingly, Al-Ississ said total revenue in the 2023 budget is expected to hit JD9.569 billion, marking a JD835 million or 9.6 percent increase from the 2022 budget.

The minister said the country’s public debt is projected to inch down by 1.5 percent in 2023 to comprise 88.2 percent of GDP, hoping that the debt-to-GDP ratio will continue to narrow down to 84.2 percent by 2025.

As for the 2023 budget of government units, Al-Ississ said total revenue is projected at JD671 million against JD954 million in 2022.

On the other hand, total spending in the 2023 budget of government units is forecast at JD1.467 billion, including JD942 million for current expenditures and JD524 million for capital spending.

The deficit, the minister added, in the 2023 budget of government units is expected at JD795 million compared with JD383 million in 2022.

Al-Ississ said the government anticipates that the country’s economy will have expanded by 2.7 percent in 2022 and that it will do so again in 2023. In 2021, Jordan’s economy picked up by 2.4 percent.

The minister explained that the national economy’s growth in 2022 is mainly driven by a 41-percent uptick in national exports, particularly phosphate and potash.

Al-Ississ told the House that capital inflows in 2022 exceeded outflows, with net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows increasing by 94 percent to JD629m through September.

And by the end of 2022, the Kingdom’s foreign currency reserves had grown to $17.3 billion, a sign of a robust Dinar and enough to pay for imports of goods and services for 7.5 months, the minister added.

As for inflation, the minister said it reached 4.2 percent in 2022 and is expected to edge down to 3.8 percent in 2023 despite global inflationary pressures.

Unemployment, according to the minister, dropped by 1.5 percent in the first nine months of 2022 to reach 22.8 percent. Al-Ississ said the figure remains high and a source of national concern.

The minister indicated that the 2023 draft budget’s allocation for education had been raised by an additional JD111 million to a total of JD1.363 billion, an increase of 8.1 percent over the amount in the 2022 budget.

In addition, this year’s budget includes an increase of JD95 million for the public healthcare system, bringing the total to JD1.157 billion.

The minister disclosed that the budgeted amount for social protection in 2023 is JD2.276 billion, an increase of JD215 million from the previous year.

Furthermore, Al-Ississ stated that JD277 million had been allocated in the 2023 budget to subsidize strategic food commodities, which is an increase of JD217 million, or 361 percent, from the 2022 allocations.

An amount of JD355 million has been earmarked for projects under the Economic Modernization Vision and public sector reform roadmap.

Source: Jordan News Agency

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Government Policy

Foreign Ministry condemns attacks against Gov’t institutions in Brazil

Amman, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemned the attacks against government institutions in Brazil on Sunday evening.

It expressed its rejection of any actions aimed at undermining security and stability in the southern American country.

The ministry expressed its hope that the higher national interests of Brazil would be given the priority in a way that guarantees its security and stability and meets the aspirations of its friendly people.

Source: Jordan News Agency