SDF-held areas | Popular anger grows over the high price and shortage of face masks, as the number of coronavirus cases increase

Popular resentment is growing in areas under the control of the Autonomous Administration in northern and eastern Syria over the lack of face masks and gloves, as well as merchants’ manipulation of prices in the black market.

 

With the increasing demand, face masks are sold today for 500 SYL each, after being sold for only 160 SYL before the crisis of the novel coronavirus. The high prices and shortage of face masks coincide with the increase in the number of infection cases in these areas.

 

Yesterday, health authorities in areas under the control of the Autonomous Administration recorded one fatality and new 20 infection cases with coronavirus (16 cases in Al-Hasakah, two cases in Deir Ezzor, and two cases in Aleppo countryside).

 

Accordingly, the total number of infection cases in SDF-held areas rose to 50, all were quarantined.

 

On July 31, the “Civil Council” in Al-Raqqah city issued a decree, imposing curfew and other strict precautionary measures on the city’s residents, after three infection cases with coronavirus were detected.

 

One day earlier, the joint presidency of northern and eastern Syria issued a circular announcing an official holiday to all its public institutions as Eid al-Adha coming.

 

The “Autonomous Administration” imposed a curfew on al-Jazeera region, banning the traffic of buses inside the cities and transportation between al-Jazeera region and other sectors, only commercial vehicles were excluded.

 

Gatherings were also generally prohibited in sports centres, public places, swimming pools and cafés, during Eid al-Adha.