By Laith Al-jnaidi and Safiye Karabacak

AMMAN (AA) - Jordan will impose a 48-hour nationwide lockdown because of the novel coronavirus pandemic beginning Thursday at midnight, according to governmental sources.

A limited number of workers, including medical staff, will be exempt from the restrictions, spokesman Emced al-Adayile told reporters.

The number of cases rose to 358 in Jordan after five additional infections were recorded, along with 150 recoveries, according to Health Minister Saad Jaber.

There are nearly 1.5 million confirmed cases worldwide of COVID-19, with almost 87,500 deaths, and more than 317,600 recoveries, according to the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.


*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz