Corona Pandemic: Curfew extended in South Kurdistan and Iraq

The curfew imposed in South Kurdistan against the coronavirus pandemic has been extended again. According to the authorities, 54 people have been infected with the corona virus in South Kurdistan and 233 in Iraq.

The curfew imposed in South Kurdistan on March 13 against the spread of the Corona pandemic has been extended again. The measure has so far covered all cities in the autonomous region. Now, the curfew has been extended to Raperîn and the Germiyan region, which is one of the disputed areas of Northern Iraq since the destabilisation of the country in 2003. The curfew is to last until April 1 for the time being.

According to the Ministry of Health, 54 people have been infected with the corona virus in South Kurdistan so far, one person died.

The Corona crisis has also affected Iraq. The borders with the neighbouring countries are closed and there is also a curfew. Nevertheless, the Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr calls his followers to Friday prayers in mosques and visits to holy places of Shiite Islam - and thus endangers the lives of thousands of people.

The curfew in Iraq, which has been in place at local dimension so far, will cover the entire country from today on, in line with a decision announced by the crisis desk established by the Ministry of Health. All schools, universities and airports will remain closed till March 28.

According to a statement released by the Ministry of Health on Sunday, 233 people have been infected with Covid-19 so far, while the real figures are guessed to be higher as only around two thousand people from 40 million population have been tested so far.