The Sêmalka border crossing between Rojava and Southern Kurdistan is now also closed for journalists due to the dramatic increase of corona infections. The local government also advises all citizens who are abroad to return only after the spread of the corona virus has been stopped.

Sêmalka was first closed on 1 March for an unlimited period of time as part of a package of measures adopted by the autonomous administration of North and East Syria based on an expertise of the Health Committee.

The autonomous administration has meanwhile strengthened its security measures. Mobile teams are on the move everywhere in northern and eastern Syria, conducting unannounced and selective health checks. So far, not a single corona infection has been confirmed in Rojava. However, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reports several cases in Damascus, Tartu, Latakia and Homs. The organisation, based in London, bases its information on reports from doctors in the affected areas.