Between March 15 and 19, 2021, several protests took place in areas of northwest Syria commemorating the tenth anniversary of the popular uprising in Syria. Unfortunately, the protests witnessed a notable lack of commitment to observing social distancing measures and wearing facemasks, violating all the precautionary measures introduced to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic among the public.
SNHR notes that the latest documented infection cases in this area number 21,251 in total with 637 deaths to date, according to a statement issued by the alert and response network (EWARN) on March 18, 2021.
We affirm that the responsibility for raising awareness and ensuring compliance with the essential health measures lies with the local council and the governing forces, and urge the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, in coordination with all its apparatuses and bodies, to also take serious action in regard to this issue, by promoting and encouraging the idea of wearing masks and of physical and social distancing, and by issuing bulletins and regular data on the latest figures and following up on the implementation of these measures to preserve the safety of all members of society and minimize the risk of infection and death.
Photo shows a mass protest in Ariha city in the south of Idlib governorate on March 19, the tenth anniversary of the popular uprising.
