Tabqah, Bu Asi and Akirshi crossings are closed, except for illness cases

Tabqah's crossing, North Press

TABQAH, Syria (North Press) – Tabqah crossing 15 kilometre southwestern of Tabqah city, Bu Asi crossing 20km west of Tabqah  on Aleppo-Raqqa highway, and Akirshi crossing 19km east of Raqqa city on Raqqa-Dier ez-Zor highway, were closed on Friday. These crossings connect the Autonomous Administration-held areas with Syrian Government ones, after the Administration issued the decision of closure on July 24th.

 

An administrator in Tabqah 's crossing Hassan Mustafa, told North Press on Saturday, that Tabqah, Bu Asi and Akirshi crossings have been completely closed to arrivals and travellers since Friday,  according to a circular issued by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria.

 

Mustafa pointed out that "Serious illness cases are allowed to travel accompanied by one person, provided that they have an official letter from  health committees in northeastern Syria."

 

Regarding the arrivals in northeastern Syria through the above mentioned three crossings, Mustafa clarified that "Critical humanitarian cases are allowed to enter, provided that they submit to a 14-day quarantine in Tabqah city, while, other travellers are not allowed to enter.

 

While drivers and their loaded cars with goods are allowed to enter to the crossing's yard, after being completely checked and sterilized, in addition to implementing the necessary precautionary measures and committing to  social-distancing, then return after unloading and delivering the goods to merchants.

 

Students who come from Syrian Government-held areas to the Autonomous Administration's areas, will be sent to a quarantine for 14 days in Tabqah, Bu Asi and Akirshi crossings, according to the administrator in Tabqah's crossing .

 

Health Board in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria recorded on Thursday, four infections with coronavirus, three of which in Qamishli city and one in Hasakah. In turn, the Autonomous Administration decided on Friday to completely close all crossings, and impose a quarantine for 14 days on arrivals.  
(Reporting by Mustafa Khalil)