Syria’s AANES imposes complete lockdown in its areas of control
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Thursday, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) decided to impose total lockdown next week in all its regions of control, in order to limit the outbreak of coronavirus.
This came after recording the highest death rates today and announcing the fullness of hospitals designated for the infections.
The new lockdown will enter into force on Sunday, October 3, and it will continue until October 9.
A statement by the AANES Executive Council posted on its official website, said that the lockdown includes the AANES’ institutions, including educational ones. However, it excludes hospitals, commercial traffic and humanitarian cases at the crossings.
The decision also excludes shops selling foodstuffs and vegetables, provided that they open from eight in the morning until one in the afternoon, in addition to institutions whose nature of work requires them to continue working.
The farmers and agricultural workers are also allowed going to their places of work but they have to follow the means of prevention.
Earlier today, the AANES Health Board recorded the highest death toll in one day since the beginning of the last coronavirus wave, as it announced the death of 17 cases and 279 new infections in its regions.
This week, the total lockdown included the areas of the Jazira region, in addition to the areas of the Deir ez-Zor countryside, while partial lockdown began today in the Euphrates region.
The new decision, however, canceled all the previous decisions and imposed total lockdown in all Autonomous Administration-held areas.
In a press conference held today in the city of Qamishli, the co-chair of the Health Board, Jiwan Mustafa, said that “The Autonomous Administration is no longer able to handle the virus alone if the situation continues like this.”
“The situation in the health centers is frightening, as they are close to full, and the situation does not get better. Rather, it signals a humanitarian catastrophe.”
The Autonomous Administration called on the residents to abide by the rules of health prevention and to wear face masks. It also called on the media to guide and educate the population.