What's the government response timeline for Syria?

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184053

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184054

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184055

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184056

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184057

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184058

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184059

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184060

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184061

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184062

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184063

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184064

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184065

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184066

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184067

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184068

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184069

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184070

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184071

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184072

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184073

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184074

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184075

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184076

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184077

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184078

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184079

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184080

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184081

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184082

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"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184085

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184086

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184087

"Strict measures being taken at border crossings to detect any cases of Coronavirus" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184088

the Prime Minister's Cabinet has declared (in Arabic) that: Visits from neighbouring countries (Iraq and Jordan) will be suspended for a month Visits from countries that declared an emergency will be suspended for 2 months (i.e Europe) If someone comes from any of these countries, they will be quarantined for 14 days "to ensure they dont have the virus" http://www.pministry.gov.sy/contents/15912/??????-???????-????-??????-????-???????-????-????????-????????-??-???-??????--??????-???????--????-???-??????-????-?????-????-??????-????-?????

"the Cabinet commissioned the Information and Health Ministries to formulate a comprehensive media plan for raising awareness about protection against this virus, in addition to commissioning the Education and Higher Education Ministries to enhance preventative measures at schools and universities" https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=187790

"launching awareness campaigns for all workers at schools and teaching establishments." https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=187953

Since the 13th of March, the government has started to take radical measures and ordered the reduction of the number of staff in public and administrative sectors to 40%. The staff will work in shifts to ensure the continuity of business. The working hours will be comprised between 9 am and 2 pm. Source (In Arabic) https://www.sana.sy/?p=1122963 https://www.sana.sy/?p=1126906

https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=188258 "The precautionary steps, included suspending universities, schools, and institutes as of 14/03/2020 to 02/04/2020, reducing in work hours at administrative public sector establishments to around 40%, suspending handprint sign-in for a month."

https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=188268 "In a statement to SANA, the Interior Ministry asserted that it didn’t issue any statement about suspending the land travel, adding that such statement will be issued through the official media outlets, its official website and Facebook."

https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=188258 "The precautionary steps, included suspending universities, schools, and institutes as of 14/03/2020 to 02/04/2020, reducing in work hours at administrative public sector establishments to around 40%, suspending handprint sign-in for a month."

https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=188330 "Faroun underlined the necessity of citizens being cautious and avoiding gatherings and children’s playgrounds, in addition to committing to proper hygiene rules."

Between Mar 14's "no land travel restrictions" and Mar 20 calls for "voluntary isolation" I didn't find statements on change of policy, so I assume it remains 0. (Ben)

The Cabinet of Syria formulates a set of preventative measures to help curb the spread of coronavirus across the country. The measures are not specific in what constitutes a "gathering," however it can be inferred that the measures are quite strict. "d- Suspension of all scientific, cultural, social and sporting events that require gathering of people, strict prevention of crowds in cafes and restaurants, closure of public services halls (used for weddings, funerals etc.) and implementing a plan to sanitize public transport.". https://www.insideover.com/society/syrian-emergency-measures-to-counter-coronavirus-pandemic.html; https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/concern-mounts-catastrophic-coronavirus-outbreak-syria-200316003354976.html

Disinfection of buses for use of the public, implying the active use of public transportation as of Mar 18 (Ben). https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=188436

"the team called on citizens to show a high level of awareness and responsibility in terms of commitment to “voluntary isolation” procedures that should maintain public safety so that “mandatory isolation” is not enforced in the case of non-compliance." https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=188590

"the team called on citizens to show a high level of awareness and responsibility in terms of commitment to “voluntary isolation” procedures that should maintain public safety so that “mandatory isolation” is not enforced in the case of non-compliance." https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=188590

"the team called on citizens to show a high level of awareness and responsibility in terms of commitment to “voluntary isolation” procedures that should maintain public safety so that “mandatory isolation” is not enforced in the case of non-compliance." https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=188590

"the team called on citizens to show a high level of awareness and responsibility in terms of commitment to “voluntary isolation” procedures that should maintain public safety so that “mandatory isolation” is not enforced in the case of non-compliance." https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=188591

"the team called on citizens to show a high level of awareness and responsibility in terms of commitment to “voluntary isolation” procedures that should maintain public safety so that “mandatory isolation” is not enforced in the case of non-compliance." https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=188591

"The Prime Minister also issued another circular requiring governors to take the necessary measures to close markets and suspend all commercial, service, cultural and social activities." https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=188607

"The Prime Minister also issued another circular requiring governors to take the necessary measures to close markets and suspend all commercial, service, cultural and social activities." https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=188607

Despite the entrance of more harsh measures, the statements dealt with commercial activity but didn't seem to address any internal movement restriction enforced besides the earlier "voluntary isolation" request (Ben). https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=188607

Cabinet suspended all forms of mass public and private transportation within provinces as of 8 PM on Monday and between provinces as of 8 PM on Tuesday, with the stipulation that ministries, union, and private production establishments provide transportation for their workers https://sana.sy/en/?p=188663

In addition to the existing recommendation on voluntary isolation, there has been added an expected shutdown of inter-province public transport (Ben). https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=188688

The Ministry of Education in Syria has ordered the closure of schools until the 2ed of April. The closure started on the 14th of March and covered both public and private schools. Source: the Arabic website of the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) https://www.sana.sy/?p=1123427

The Prime Minister of Syria has issued a circular to the governors requesting the closure of markets, commercial, business, cultural and social activities. The closure starts from Sunday the 22ed of March and until further notice. The purpose of the restrictions is to minimise movement and to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the population. Exceptions from the circular include supermarkets, food suppliers, pharmacies, and health centres Source (in Arabic): https://www.sana.sy/?p=1126464

From the 25th of March, the government has ordered the suspension of transport within the following governorates: Lattakia, Aleppo, Tartus, Hama, Homs, Qunaitara, Deraa and Deir Al Zour. Althought these are 8 out of 14 governorates and if we count areas held by opposition forced in the North East and other armed groups in the North West, the move amounts to a total suspension of public transportation except in the capital Damascus. Source (in Arabic): https://www.sana.sy/?p=1126990

The Cabinet commissioned the Information and Health Ministries to formulate a comprehensive media plan for raising awareness about protection against this virus. Source: https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=187790

Since the 13th of March, the government has started to take radical measures and ordered the reduction of the number of staff in public and administrative sectors to 40%. The staff will work in shifts to ensure the continuity of business. The working hours will be comprised between 9 am and 2 pm. Source (in Arabic) https://www.sana.sy/?p=1122963

The Syrian government has banned travel between governorates centres and all their surrounding areas and countryside. The decision was effective at 2 pm on Sunday the 29th of March. The source in Arabic: https://www.sana.sy/?p=1130687

The restriction on movement between the Syrian governates which was approved by the Syrian government during its weekly session on Sunday the 29th of March is now effective (from 6 pm on the 31st of March and until the 16th of April) Source: in Arabic: https://www.sana.sy/?p=1130687

The Syndicate of Medical Doctors in Syria has launched a hotline to answer the questions of the public about COVID-19. For the time being, the lines will be operated between 9 am - 9 pm with the possibility of extending the hours of operation to 24 hours. The purpose of the hotline is to relieve pressure from hospitals and clinics as well as to answer the questions of the public according to a medical protocol approved by the Ministry of Health. Source: SANA (the Arabic website of the Syrian Arab News Agency) https://www.sana.sy/?p=1131096

The Ministry of Education has announced that public and private schools closure will be extended until the 16th of April 2020. Source: the Arabic website of SANA (Syrian Arab News Agency) https://www.sana.sy/?p=1131281

https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/syrian-arab-republic-covid-19-response-update-no02-6-may-2020 OCHA “On 16 April, the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO) shared information indicating that a 53-year-old man from Al-Hasakeh City who had been admitted to Qamishli National Hospital on 27 March had died on 2 April. A test for the virus subsequently tested positive.”

The Prime Minister of Syria has issued a circular to the governors requesting the closure of markets, commercial, business, cultural and social activities. The closure starts from Sunday the 22ed of March and until further notice. The purpose of the restrictions is to minimise movement and to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the population. Exceptions from the circular include supermarkets, food suppliers, pharmacies, and health centres Source (in Arabic): https://www.sana.sy/?p=1126464

The Syrian national TV stations are broadcasting live and online public information campaigns titled "for Syria, Stay at Home". The production is a joint cooperation between the Ministry of Media, artists, sportsmen, and public figures. The key message is to urge people to stay at home toavoid transmitting or contracting COVID-19. Source: https://www.sana.sy/?p=1132488

http://archive.is/3KFgg This week, two PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) testing machines arrived in northeast Syria from the Kurdistan Region, which will help the Syrian-Kurdish–led authorities to test for coronavirus infections.

The government taskforce for Coronavirus response has decided that schools and universities will continue to be suspended until the 2ed of May 2020. Source (in Arabic) https://www.sana.sy/?p=1135292

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-syria-north/as-rebel-held-syria-fears-virus-just-one-machine-is-there-to-test-idUSKCN21W1F2 As of 14 Apr, Reuters. “Makki’s Epidemiological Surveillance Laboratory has the only device in areas outside of Syrian government control equipped to run a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to detect the virus.” “The machine “is not sufficient to serve all these people, so there is pressure on the device. And since it is the only one, strict criteria are being used to select samples,” said Makki.” https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/04/1061722 To this end, said Mr. Riza, WHO has supported extensive rehabilitation of the Central Public Health Laboratory in Damascus, trained dozens of laboratory technicians and rapid response team members in testing and sample collection, and procured critical diagnosis equipment - including five polymerase chain reaction machines and multiple shipments of testing kits. Testing capacity has already quadrupled.

"Syria announced Saturday it will shorten curfew hours by 90 minutes a day and allow some shops and small businesses to open on alternate days of the week during the holy month of Ramadan." https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2240821/syria-shorten-curfew-during-ramadan-algeria-extends-virus-lockdown

https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/syrian-arab-republic-covid-19-response-update-no02-6-may-2020 OCHA As of 6 May. “Four laboratories have been established in Damascus, Lattakia and Aleppo; and Idleb with additional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing capacity established in Qamishli.” “Some 2,000 tests have been conducted by the Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL) in Damascus to date.”

The government team in charge of the national plan to deal with the novel coronavirus has decided to end the curfew, allow inter-province transportation and resume public transportation, state television reported. https://www.plenglish.com/index.php?o=rn&id=56061&SEO=syria-lifts-curfew-eases-covid-19-measures

Damascus, May 25 (Prensa Latina) The Syrian government decided on Monday to completely lift the imposed night curfew and ease the measures adopted to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. https://www.plenglish.com/index.php?o=rn&id=56061&SEO=syria-lifts-curfew-eases-covid-19-measures

Beginning today, the government will lift an overnight curfew and allow movement between its provinces. https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/05/syria-coronavirus-curfew-uptick-cases-damascus-idlib.html

No change in curfew so far. https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/syria-surrounding-countries-etc-situation-report-41-reporting-period

Schools remain closed country-wide according to UNESCO data http://archive.fo/dAMwX

UNESCO education response map shows schools are still closed. http://archive.vn/p0K5y For the next coder: on August 1st the Education Ministry announced that it will begin carrying out remedial lessons to compensate for educational losses for Category B basic education students from August 11th to the 31st. The Ministry instructed its directorates in all provinces to open the schools designated for the basic education for Category B students from Saturday till Thursday each weak in order to make up for educational losses through remedial lessons. http://archive.vn/WOeL8

Damascus, SANA-The Ministry of Endowments announced the suspension of Friday and mass prayers at the mosques of Damascus and its countryside for fifteen days, as of Monday, August 3rd. http://archive.vn/sP03h