BEIRUT — Syria’s government has decided to reopen the Damascus International Airport for international flights while taking all precautionary measures against coronavirus.

The airport has been closed since early March but in recent months there have been some flights that brought Syrians who were stuck outside the country back home.

The decision came Tuesday during a Cabinet meeting, according to state news agency SANA.

Syria, which had a population of 23 million before its conflict began in March 2011, has registered 3,540 confirmed coronavirus cases and 155 deaths in government-held areas.

The actual number of cases is believed to be much higher because of low testing.

Coronavirus tests at private clinics cost around $60, too expensive for most Syrians, whose average salary is less than $100 a month. The government conducts about 300 free tests each day for people showing symptoms.