DAMASCUS－Rushdy Nader, who returned to Syria on Saturday night after a seven-month business trip to Iraq, just waved at and tapped elbows with his family upon his arrival at the airport, without the traditional kisses or hugs.

Almost all other arrivals on the flight from Iraq did the same with their loved ones who were waiting for them, as Syrians have become more cautious about their personal hygiene out of fear of the novel coronavirus.

However, changing the greeting style was not easy in the first place as kisses and hugs are a traditional Arab way of saying hello.

"Our traditional greetings show affection and love, but now people are scared by reports emerging about the outbreak of coronavirus in the world," Nader said.

Wearing a mask is becoming more common on the streets and "it's a positive thing", the 31-year-old man said.

Maher Hanan, who returned from France via Lebanon, agreed that the outbreak of coronavirus is changing the world in terms of how people interact with each other, including greetings.

"Usually we kiss our friends on the cheek and hug them with affection ... But now the fear of coronavirus is tearing us apart from expressing our feelings," he said.

About the elbow bump, Hanan said it is an alternative way of shaking hands and people are doing it with fun.

The Syrian government has undertaken several measures to protect its people from the threats of coronavirus.

On Friday, the 16 passengers and 17 crew members, who were on board a plane from Iraq to Damascus, were taken to a quarantine center in the remote al-Duwair area in the countryside of the Syrian capital, after a passenger was found with a body temperature a little higher than 37 C.

Damascus said on Friday that all scientific, cultural, social and sporting events would be halted, and many public institutions would be closed or staffed at 40 percent of normal levels and operate during reduced hours, state news agency SANA reported.

The health ministry said the steps were "precautionary" and intended to raise the health sector's readiness to control the virus should it be detected.

Education Minister Imad al-Azab said on Saturday schools would be closed until April 2.

So far, Syria has not reported any case of COVID-19 infection.

Xinhua - Agencies