Syria tightens preventive measures against coronavirus spread, epidemic could lead to collapse

(Patria) – Syria has banned movement between cities and provinces as part of new stricter measures in the fight against the coronavirus.

Syria has so far recorded five cases of infection, while humanitarian organizations express concern that the spread of the infection could be devastating for the local population, which is extremely exhausted by the long-standing war, in a country where all systems have collapsed, including the health system. Concern is particularly focused on the hundreds of thousands of displaced Syrians in the northwest of the country who live in overcrowded, extremely poor camps.

Before the travel ban, which has been in effect since Sunday, a curfew from 18:00 to 6:00 was introduced, as well as the suspension of flights and the cessation of work for most legal entities.