Syrian tailors make face masks at a vocational institute in Damascus, capital of Syria, on April 26, 2020. Syrian vocational institutions are making face masks as part of protection against COVID-19. Run by the Syrian Education Ministry, vocational institutes started making masks as the education in these facilities had been suspended as part of the government's measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)
DAMASCUS, April 26 -- Syrian vocational institutions are making face masks as part of protection against COVID-19.
Run by the Syrian Education Ministry, vocational institutes started making masks as the education in these facilities had been suspended as part of the government's measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.
In one institute in the Mazzeh area west of Damascus, teachers come every day to make the masks since the growing demand for protection masks amid the high prices of the imported ones.
Sitting behind sewing machines, the teachers cut fabrics and make them in the shape of masks before finishing and packing them in plastic bags.
Razan al-Rai, a sewing teacher, told Xinhua that she used to teach students how to make clothes, but now she was making masks to "help the society."
She said it's the duty of every person to volunteer to help the country and the people.
"We do all we can and we are making masks. We feel happy because we are doing something humanitarian to help the people and society," she said.
For his side, Sulaiman Younes, director of Damascus education directorate, told Xinhua that they finished the first stage of production by making 12,000 masks, adding that they make around 3,000 masks per day.
He said the Education Ministry and the vocational education directorate must play a social role by confronting the virus.
"We have the ability to provide masks for protection and this is an opportunity to prove that we are active in society."
Syria has recorded a total of 42 COVID-19 infections, with 11 recoveries and three deaths, according to the health ministry.
