COVID-19 in government-held Syria

Introduction

The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in areas under Government of Syria control was announced on 22 March. Forty-three cases have since been confirmed, with three deaths and fourteen recoveries, and while infection rates are slowly increasing these numbers are noticeably small in comparison to World Health Organization (WHO) projections. Reasons for this point to the initial reaction by the Ministry of Health of denial of reports indicating a more advanced spreading of the virus, with the alleged arrest and prosecution of medical professionals attempting to highlight this. The WHO has also issued a statement that a lack of viral detection capability means COVID-19 cases are not being officially recorded.

Since the classification of COVID-19 as a global pandemic, the Government of Syria has been implementing precautionary measures, including the prohibition of inter-governorate travel, restriction of international travel, suspension of conscription, the closure of shops and businesses except for those producing or selling food items, cleaning supplies, and medical supplies, and most recently the implementation of a partial curfew.

This report demonstrates the security, economic, healthcare, and political level challenges imposed on the average Syrian citizen in Government of Syria controlled areas following the implementation of these precautionary measures. Research was carried out using primary and secondary sources, including information from UN agencies, international and local organizations, government sources and field researchers.