Iraq enforces lockdown on six, mostly Shi’a, areas of Baghdad, as COVID-19 cases rise

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Iraq’s Minister of Health and Environment, Hassan al-Tamimi, announced on Monday that strict lockdowns would be imposed on six districts of Baghdad, as Iraq recorded its highest number of daily coronavirus infections to date.

On Monday, Iraq’s Ministry of Health reported that there had been four deaths and 150 new cases of the coronavirus over the past 24 hours.

Tamimi’s statement explained that a decision had been made to impose a strict curfew—as of Wednesday, May 20—for a period of two weeks in six areas of Baghdad. They include Sadr City and Habibiya in the Sadr District; Hurriya in Kadhimiya District; Kamalya in 9 Nissan District; Hurriyah and al-Shuela in Kadhimiya District; and al-Amiriya in the district of Mansour.

Shiite Districts Struck by COVID-19

With the exception of Amiriya, the other five areas of Baghdad to be placed under lockdown are Shi’a. Indeed, Kadhimiya is the site of a major Shi’a shrine.

Iran was the original epicenter of the coronavirus in the Middle East, because of its close ties to China, where the virus originated. And within Iran, the holy city of Qom was the epicenter of COVID-19. However, even as the virus began to spread in the country, Iranian authorities were very reluctant to close the shrines, although eventually they did.

READ MORE: Iran finally shuts religious shrines, amid angry protest

Something similar happened in Iraq. Even after the virus began spreading in that country, and the health ministry announced a curfew in Baghdad, pilgrims to the shrine of the seventh Imam, Musa al-Kadhim, insisted on making their journey.

READ MORE: Iraq slams curfew violations in Baghdad as coronavirus cases reach 192

In the statement which Tamimi issued on Monday, he also explained that in addition to the curfew, “We will initiate a wide epidemiological monitoring process in the sectors and markets,” of the designated areas, “and increase health awareness, in cooperation with the Operations Command in Baghdad, the Directorate of Civil Defense, the Municipality, the media, and the relevant departments and institutions” under the direct supervision of the minister himself.

Tamimi also explained that the same measures would be taken in the rest of Baghdad and other provinces, if there is an increase in the number of coronavirus infections, as reported in the Health Ministry’s daily updates.

Complete Lockdown

Later on Monday, Health Ministry spokesman Saif al-Badr, expanded on Tamimi’s statement, explaining just how tough the new regulations will be for the curfew’s 14-day period—essentially the time that it takes for those who have contracted the virus to show symptoms.  

"The territorial curfew includes completely locking down the areas mentioned, preventing entry to and exit from them, without any exception,” Badr stated.

He also explained the regulations that will be in effect regarding the purchase of food.“Stores selling foodstuffs and bakeries will be allowed to open at specific times, which will be determined and announced later,” he said.

Thus, residents of those areas essentially now have 48 hours to obtain what they will need for the next two weeks, with the limited exception of food.

Although Badr did not address the issue explicitly, the order would also appear to apply to religious gatherings, which, according to the new regulation, will be prohibited until June 3. That would include all prayers and celebrations related to Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan on Saturday. 

Editing by Laurie Mylroie