KRG reports 348 new COVID-19 infections, extends lockdown measures

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – the Kurdistan Region's Ministry of Health on Monday announced 348 new coronavirus infections and 14 more fatalities due to the virus in the past 24 hours.

Since the start of the outbreak, 14,166 people have caught the virus in the Kurdistan Region, of whom 574 have died, and 9,413 have recovered, according to official data.

As the number of cases continues to increase, the region's Ministry of Interior on Monday announced the extension of lockdown measures, most of which have been in effect since March to limit the spread of the virus.

KRG Lockdown Extended

"Public places like markets, restaurants, and other commercial venues should not allow entry to people who don't wear a mask," the ministry said in a statement. "Places that violate this rule will be closed for ten days, and the owner will be fined 1 million dinars."

Restaurants, according to the ministry, are allowed to continue operating but can only deliver food.

"Drivers of private and public vehicles should wear a mask if they have passengers with them. Violators will be fined 50,000 dinars for each violation."

"Private sector companies and organizations should oblige employees to wear masks and follow health and safety measures. Company owners will be fined 150,000 dinars for each violation," the order added.

"For gatherings outside government and private buildings that don't wear masks and don't keep a 1.5-meter distance, each participant will be fined 10,000 dinars."

The interior ministry also ordered the closure of all health centers and laboratories for 14 days, as well as resorts, parks, and cafes.

"Fitness centers, swimming pools, and nightclubs will remain closed," the statement noted, adding that a ban on funerals, wedding ceremonies, and other social events will stay in effect.

Travel Bans

The inter-provincial travel ban in the Kurdistan Region would continue, it specified, unless a traveler presents a special permit issued by the Interior Ministry at security checkpoints located on provincial borders.

"Travel between the Kurdistan Region and Iraqi provinces will be completely halted for one week."

Foreign diplomats, Coalition Forces, UN agencies, and international organizations can travel throughout the Kurdistan Region. "Department of Foreign Relations will be tasked with issuing travel permit and facilitate travel for these bodies."

Ibrahim Khalil Border Crossing will be closed to tourists for one week. For essential travel, a permit should be obtained from the Ministry of Interior. Trade exchanges, however, will continue in line with previous instructions.

The ministry also announced penalties for individuals who break self-quarantine rules.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) will issue a one million dinar fine to people who return to the Kurdistan Region and sign a contract to quarantine themselves at home or their hotel rooms if they violate the deal.

"If they test positive for the coronavirus and are found to have also infected other people, they must fund all their medical costs and will be held accountable to the law according to the Iraqi penal code, article 368-369 of amended law 111 of 1969."

Editing by Khrush Najari