The Autonomous Administration of North-East Syria has issued a curfew in an effort to prevent the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic to reach its territories. 

The curfew is being implemented since 23 March and should last 15 days. So far there have been no cases reported in North-East Syria.

The 15-day curfew expires tomorrow. The Autonomous Administration is expected to make a statement regarding whether the curfew will be extended or not.

The Autonomous Administration of North-East Syria Interior Council Co-president Hêvî Mistefa and chest diseases specialist Dr. Seîd Hiso spoke to ANF about the curfew and sanitary measures taken in the region to prevent the spread of the virus.

Hêvî Mistefa: We had to act fast and hard

Hêvî Mistefa said that they had to take "fast and hard" decisions given the ongoing attacks on North-East Syria, the region's resources and conditions. She added that the people responded quickly and with a spirit of devotion. 

Hêvî Mistefa reminded that they closed the borders and added: "We haven't detected any case of coronavirus so far. And this was also thanks to the people's compliance with our instructions. We called on people to continue to respect these instructions."

Asked whether the curfew would be extended, Hêvî Mistefa said: "The situation in the region is subject to daily evaluation at the crisis desk. Considering the situation in the region, the situation in the neighboring countries and the situation in the world, the feedback from our own health institutions, we can decide to extend the curfew."

Reminding that the number of deaths around the world continues to increase tragically, Hêvî Mistefa said that the North-East Syrian Health Council is making great efforts to prevent the spread of the pandemic. 

Mistefa said: "This will be the greatest service that each of us can do now. Each and everyone of us has a duty to make our home a place in which the disease cannot arrive."

Dr. Seîd Hiso: Take precautions without fear

Chest diseases specialist Dr. Seîd Hiso said that, in the context of preventive measures, early decisions in the region "have prevented the outbreak of the disease for now".

Calling on the public to "take precautions without fear", Saîd Hiso added that the decisions taken by the Autonomous Administration made a significant contribution in avoiding the spread of the coronavirus in the region.

Emphasizing the need to pay attention to personal hygiene, Saîd Hiso said: "The success against this virus depends on the decisions taken and the implementation of these decisions. I can say that we have been successful until now. We all see that even the world's greatest powers are struggling to cope with this disease. We should not forget this and increase the measures."

Stating that health professionals in North-East Syria are fighting against the coronavirus with a great comittment, Saîd Hiso added: "People should trust us. But trust is not enough, they should also help us. The biggest help is to implement the decisions and measures we issue. There is a test developed here, and this test has a 80-85 percent reliability which allow us to be more precise in the diagnosis and treatment process."