SYRIA: North and East Syria to impose curfew due to coronavirus; Damascus tightens preventive measures

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA – As part of the preventive measures being taken to contain the spreading of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, the Office of the Co-Chairs of the Executive Council issued a circular announcing the imposition of a curfew in the regions of North and East Syria starting from 23 March.

The circular issued by the Executive Council stated the following:

1. 1. 1. A curfew would be imposed in all areas of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria starting on Monday, 23 March 06:00.
      2. Movement between administrative regions, as well as between major cities within each administration, is prohibited starting from Saturday, 21 March at 06:00.
      3. All restaurants, cafes, malls, public parks, wedding halls, and condolence tents are to be closed until further notice.
      4. Excluded are all public and private hospitals, private medicine clinics, international organizations such as the Red Cross and Red Crescent, cleaning companies, bakeries, grocers, and transportation companies.
      5. Citizens must adhere to the above or risk legal liability.

The Municipalities and Environmental Protection Authority in Gozarto (Jazira) Region distributed awareness brochures to protect against the threat of corona virus.

As part of the campaign to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, the Municipal Administrations in Gozarto Region distributed awareness brochures in city markets and public facilities which included a definition of COVID-19 and its symptoms, the risks posed by virus, tips on avoiding transmission, and guidance and advice to protect themselves. The brochures also pointed out that masks should not be used unless they have respiratory symptoms (coughing and sneezing) or if they are suspected of having contracted coronavirus.

Moreover, the central government in Damascus has announced the suspension of all transportation services in Syria, the discontinuation of work on the registration of civil status records, the granting of personal and family cards in the central administration, and has prohibited the entry of Arabs and foreigners from several countries where cases of COVID-19 have been reported. Syrian citizens will be permitted to enter the country but will be quarantined in their homes for 14 days.