Northwest Syria closes schools, markets to slow virus spread
The Salvation Government affiliated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria’s Idlib province closed schools and popular markets amid the outbreak of the coronavirus.
The Syrian Salvation Government affiliated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which controls Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib, announced on Sept. 21 the temporary closure of all schools, popular markets and public places in its areas of control amid increasing cases of the coronavirus.
In a circular published by the prime minister’s office, the government said that the closure decision includes bazaars, motorcycle markets, bird and livestock markets, swimming pools, playgrounds, wedding halls and amusement parks.
It added that restaurants will only be open for takeout and all employees must get the coronavirus vaccine. Travelers through the crossings must also be vaccinated for the sake of public safety amid the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, according to the circular.
The northwestern regions of Syria have recently witnessed a surge in the number of coronavirus infections. Medical authorities called on the people to abide by preventive measures to curb the outbreak.
