Health Directorate of North and East Syria advising easing of restrictive measures so long as recommended health procedures and social distancing

ZALIN, Syria — The Democratic Autonomous Administration (DAA) of North and East Syria issued a decision allowing the holding of weddings, funerals, and prayers in places of worship so long as health rules and procedures of social spacing are adhered to.

DAA officials explained that the decision was made following the approval of the Administration’s Health Directorate.

The decision is a part of a plan to return to some semblance of normality while still trying to manage the spread of the virus.

The Health Directorate has also launched a project to increase awareness of the virus and its consequences. A range of activities will be undertaken as part of the project, including the distribution of information posters and brochures, further development of prevention policies, and the launch of a communities sector guide.

The project is part of a wider range of measures taken by the Health Directorate to curb the spread of coronavirus pandemic.

Mohamed Abdel Aziz Khalaf, Deputy Co-Chair of the Gozarto (Jazira) Regional Health Directorate, said in a statement that the awareness campaign, announcements, and instructions distributed by the authority is to avoid a new curfew in the region.

Khalaf explained that if the population adhere to preventive measures and maintained social spacing, there would be no need for a new curfew, adding that the curfew would be re-imposed if the situation worsened.

Khalaf added that the severity of the pandemic has decreased considerably, but that people with chronic diseases must be cared for to preserve their lives. Most of the patients are mild to moderate, he explained, and few have needed intensive care and artificial breathing.