Autonomous Administration holds Syrian government responsible for the emergence of coronavirus cases in northeastern Syria

North-Press Agency

On Wednesday, the Health Authority in northeastern Syria held the Syrian government responsible for any infections of the novel coronavirus in its areas, "for its failure to comply with rules and precautions and their continued sending of travelers to the areas of the Autonomous Administration."

In a statement published by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria on its Facebook page, the Health Authority said that "Syrian authorities do not wish to cooperate, and their incorrect decisions endanger the lives of our people in northeastern Syria by transporting civilians to our areas without knowledge of the administration or performance of the necessary checks to ensure their safety."

On Tuesday, the Health Authority in the al-Jazira region put seven travelers coming from Damascus in quarantine after their arrival in Qamishli via the city's airport.

Muhammad Khalaf, deputy co-president of the Health Authority, told North-Press that all arrivals from Damascus were subjected to medical tests, including measuring body temperature, and by using the "Diagnostic Kit for Symptoms" and then were transferred to quarantine.

The Autonomous Administration transferred 19 other travelers, who arrived from Damascus last Sunday, to quarantine in the Havana Hotel adjacent to Qamishli International Airport.

The Health Authority, through its statement today, called on those coming to northeastern Syria, to get tests and take the necessary measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus epidemic.

According to the Ministry of Health of the Syrian government, the number of those infected with coronavirus has reached 19, two of which have died, while no cases have been reported in the Autonomous Administration areas yet.