In a March 13 interview with the official Syrian News Channel, Minister of Health Nizar Al-Yaziji insisted on denying the existence of any COVID-19 cases in Syria, saying:
Ní ìfọ̀rọ̀wánilẹ́nuwọ̀ pẹ̀lú ẹ̀ka ìròyìn ìjọba ilẹ̀ Syria ní ọjọ́ kẹtàlá Osù Ẹrẹ́nà, Mínísítà ètò ilera ilẹ̀ náà Nizar Al-Yaziji kọ̀jálẹ̀ lórí pé kò sí ìṣẹ̀lẹ̀ COVID-19 ní ilẹ̀ Syria, ó sọ pé: