Jordan has reimposed an all-day curfew on Fridays to curb the spread of COVID-19 as the number of cases has risen, officials said on Wednesday.

“Starting this week, the government is imposing a curfew throughout the kingdom from 10 p.m. (2000 GMT) Thursdays until 6 am Saturdays,” Information Minister Ali Al-Ayed said in a statement.

Walking to a mosque for Friday prayers, however, is permitted, he added.

An existing nightly curfew will start at 10 p.m. instead of midnight, while from Sunday a maximum of 30% of public-sector employees will be allowed at their workplace.

The toughening of Covid-19 restrictions returns Jordan to rules and protocols imposed in March last year, and which were only eased last month.

“The kingdom has witnessed a rapid spread of coronavirus in recent weeks. This is why swift and stringent measures are required,” Health Minister Nazir Obeidat said.

Jordan, which began vaccinations last month, has officially recorded more than 376,000 new COVID-19 cases and over 4,600 deaths out of a population of 10.5 million people.