The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

With no precautionary measures and ultimate recklessness, northern Syria awaits disaster

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is recording horrible figures everywhere. However, most of residents in northern Syrian still do not care of what is happening around them.

Health directorate in Idlib announced that no case in the province has tested positive to the disease. Meanwhile, the are of NW Syria suffers from lack of disinfectants, sanitizers, gloves and masks, and their high prices, if found. There are also no precautionary measures in hospitals there for facing the repercussions of the spread of the virus and secure suitable quarantine with 4 million people present there.

Outdoors markets, parks, hospitals, mosques are still seeing congestion with no serious decisions to prevent the aftermath of the spread of the virus.

In a relevant context, president of “Syrian Interim Government” demanded civilians quarantine themselves at home and leave their houses only when it is necessary, for fear of the spread of coronavirus. He also warned of the possibility of imposing curfew.

Separately, Idlib university refrains to suspend study in it for unknown reasons. However, the university lacks the lowest levels of precautionary measures to face the virus.

More than half of residents in Idlib live in overcrowded refugee camps on the border with Turkey or makeshift camps in agricultural land and on the side of roads, which puts their lives at risk in the case of the virus spreads.