Jordan's public sector employees began a phased return to work on Tuesday, more than two months after they were told to stay at home under a coronavirus lockdown, Reuters quoted officials as saying.

Most of the country's 250,000 civil servants had not been working in their offices since a state of emergency was declared in mid-March.

Sameh al Nasser, the head of the civil service commission, said that about 60 per cent of civil servants were expected to show up for work under a gradual plan involving social distancing.

Jordan has reported 711 confirmed coronavirus cases, with nine deaths. Some medical officials have warned there could be a new rise in infections after the easing of the restrictions.