Jordan blows sirens for start of nationwide curfew to combat coronavirus - witnesses

A Jordanian policeman stands guard in front of al Husseini mosque building after closing it to the worshipers amid concerns over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spread, in downtown Amman, Jordan, March 20, 2020. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed

AMMAN (Reuters) - Jordan blew sirens at the start of a nationwide curfew on Saturday, limiting the mobility of its 10 million citizens indefinitely to combat the spread of coronavirus, witnesses and officials said.

Anyone violating the curfew, which severely restricts movement beyond emergencies and essential services, would be jailed up to a year, the army said.

The curfew is in place until further notice.

(Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; editing by Jane Wardell)