Law by Decree No. 17 of 2020 Concerning Public Health and Safety Preventive Measures and their Violation during the State of Emergency

Law by Decree No. 17 of 2020

Concerning Public Health and Safety Preventive Measures and their Violation during the State of Emergency

The President of the State of Palestine

The Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation

In reference of the Bylaw of the Palestine Liberation Organisation,

The Amended Basic Law of 2003, as amended,

Having reviewed the Presidential Decree No. 4 of 2020 Concerning the Declaration of the State of Emergency,

The Law by Decree No. 7 of 2020 Concerning the State of Emergency,

The Law by Decree No. 16 of 2020 Concerning the Continued Enforcement of the Laws by Decrees, Decisions and Measures Relating to the State of Emergency,

The Public Health Law No. 20 of 2004, as amended,

Based upon the recommendation of the Council of Ministers, dated May 5, 2020,

The powers bestowed upon me, and

In pursuance of the public interest,

I hereby promulgate the following Law by Decree:

Article 1

1. Each person, while he is present in public and governmental places, companies, institutions, establishments, professional offices, market places, commercial premises, medical clinics and health centres, must adhere to the following:

a. Using the protective mask and gloves.

b. Observing the rules of social distancing.

c. Observing other safety instructions issued forth by the competent authorities.

2. Each person who violates the provisions of Paragraph 1 of this Article shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty Jordanian dinars and not more than fifty Jordanian dinars or its equivalent in the legal currency of circulation.

Article 2

1. Each establishment, company, commercial premise or service provider, must oblige the workers thereat and its patrons to the following:

a. Using the protective mask and gloves.

b. Observing the rules of social distancing.

c. Observing other safety instructions issued forth by the competent authorities.

2. Each person who violates the provisions of Paragraph 1 of this Article shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred Jordanian dinars and not more than five hundred Jordanian dinars or its equivalent in the legal currency of circulation.

Article 3

1. Companies and means of public transportation must oblige the workers thereat and the drivers to the following:

a. Using the protective mask and gloves.

b. Observing the rules of social distancing.

c. Observing other safety instructions issued forth by the competent authorities.

2. Each person who violates the provisions of Paragraph 1 of this Article shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty Jordanian dinars and not more than two hundred Jordanian dinars or its equivalent in the legal currency of circulation, and by withdrawing the licence for a period of one week.

Article 4

The penalties prescribed under this Law by Decree shall be doubled in the event of repletion.

Article 5

1. The agencies vested with judicial duties, each one within the sphere of its jurisdiction, shall take the measures necessary to enforce the provisions of this Law by Decree.

2. In the event the offending party does not abide by paying the fine at the prescribed time, it shall be referred to the competent court.

Article 6

1. All provisions that contradict the provisions of this Law by Decree shall be repealed.

2. This Law by Decree shall be in force until the day following the expiration of the state of emergency, or the day following the announcement by the competent authority that the danger of the pandemic has passed and that compliance with safety measures is not required.

Article 7

All the competent authorities, each one within its sphere of jurisdiction, shall implement the provisions of this Law by Decree, which shall enter into force as of the date of its promulgation and shall be published in the Official Gazette.

Promulgated in the city of Ramallah on May 9^th, 2020 Anno Domini,

Corresponding to Ramadan 16^th, 1441 Anno Hegira.

Mahmoud Abbas

President of the State of Palestine

Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation