Iraq deploys health teams at Iran borders to block coronavirus from entering
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Iraq has deployed medical teams at Iranian border crossings that are tasked with helping to prevent the coronavirus from entering the country's cities as a result of international travel from its eastern neighbor, a statement released on Thursday read.
“Iraq's border ports are taking the necessary initiative to prevent the spread of the coronavirus from Iran into Iraq,” said Aladdin al-Qaissi, spokesperson of Iraq’s commission of border-crossings.
According to the latest figures by the World Health Organization (WHO), the contagious COV-19 disease that Chinese health authorities first became aware of in late December in the seaside city of Wuhan has so far killed over 2,000 people in China and has infected a total of more than 75,000 worldwide.
Iraq’s Ministry of Interior also revoked its previous decision on Wednesday that allowed Iranian tourists and religious pilgrims to enter Iraq without a visa for up to three months.
Iranian officials said Thursday that three people had been newly-infected with the coronavirus, just a day after they had announced that two others had died in the Iranian city of Qom. According to Iranian media, nine deaths in total have occurred there.
On Feb. 8, Iraq's Health Ministry took precautionary measures to prevent the introduction of the virus by ships coming through its southern port in Basra.
Read More: Iraq reassures of preventative measures against Coronavirus at its ports
“Cargo ships coming to Iraqi ports in Basra governorate are dealt with in accordance to international health regulations set by World Health Organization (WHO) in 2006 to prevent the spread of epidemic on an international level,” a Health Ministry statement explained.
Thursday's statement about Iraqi border crossings continued by explaining that the ministry “has also been informed of the necessity of providing additional health checkpoints to support the border-crossing health stations.”
Governors of both Basra and Maysan provinces have blocked Iranians from entering through official border-crossings and Wasit's governor called upon Baghdad to halt any and all movement through its border with Iran, furthermore.
A statement from Iraq’s Ministry of Health also recommended the complete closure of all border crossings and movement with Iran, with the exception of diplomatic delegations provided they go through a medical inspection due to fears of the coronavirus.
Editing by John J. Catherine