Syrian regime taking no action to curb potential coronavirus outbreak in Hasakah, local administration decries lax government attitude

HASAKAH, Syria – In order to prevent a wider outbreak of the coronavirus among residents in Hasakah city after the recording of the first two confirmed cases, the Internal Security Forces (ISF) and Health Directorate of the Democratic Autonomous Administration (DAA) of North and East Syria imposed a total lock down of the Al-Omran neighborhood, home to the couple confirmed to have the coronavirus, until it could be confirmed that there were no additional cases in the neighborhood.

The DAA stated they will provide all services to residents in the quarantined neighborhood, including the distribution of food supplies. The Kurdish Red Crescent stated will distribute sterilization materials and soap.

All streets of the quarantined neighborhood were blocked by the ISF in cooperation with the Health Directorate, Municipality, Environmental Committee, and Fire Department. All roads in and out of Hasakah city were also closed, with exceptions made for emergency situations.

In the Syrian regime-controlled areas of the city, however, the situation was quite different. People move about the city normally with no precautionary measures being taken. Shops remained open and the flow of traffic was heavy.

The regime also allowed employers of various professions to work until 15:00 within the areas of their control.

In a statement released yesterday, the DAA stated that the attitude of the regime risks a large-scale humanitarian catastrophe. “We are trying to prevent the outbreak of coronavirus within our areas, despite the lack of cooperation of the Syrian authorities which allow entering the citizens without being tested,” read the statement.