Syria: Authorities announce Damascus International Airport to reopen from October 1 /update 5

Event

Syrian government officials have announced that Damascus International Airport (DAM) is to reopen for commercial activities from October 1. The reopening comes following months of closure as a precaution against the further spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Arrivals will be tested upon arrival and will be required to quarantine at the Ebla Hotel to await the results of their tests.

Schools in Syria reopened on Sunday, September 13, with social distancing and sanitation measures in place. More than 3.7 million students in government-controlled areas have returned to education for the first time since March.

As of Saturday, September 19, there have been 3731 reported COVID-19 cases in Syria, with 168 associated fatalities. Due to poor testing capabilities, the true number of cases is believed to be far higher. Further spread of the disease is expected over the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China).

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly, and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.