SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Sulaimani International Airport has banned travel from eight countries, as part of measures taken by the Iraqi government to stem the transmission of a new coronavirus strain.
Sulaimani Chamber of commerce and industry cited the airport as saying on Wednesday that the travel ban was under directive of the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority.
The countries include Britain, South Africa, Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Iran and Japan.
“Only Iraqis are able to return to the country, but they will be quarantined for 14 days,” the chamber cited the Sulaimani airport as saying.
Esta Media Network contacted the Sulaimani international airport for a comment on the ban, but it was not available.
On Tuesday, the Iraqi Council of Ministers issued several decisions as part of measures against the new coronavirus strain.
The Iraqi cabinet imposed a travel ban to and from Britain, South Africa, Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Iran and Japan for everyone except Iraqis, who will have to quarantine themselves for 14 days.
The federal government also ordered the closure of border crossings with neighboring countries, according to a government statement.
It also ordered the closure of restaurants, malls and other public places for two weeks across Iraq, starting from Thursday.
British officials have said the new strain of coronavirus identified in the United Kingdom is up to 70% more infectious, but it is not thought to be more deadly.
Cases in Britain have soared in the last two weeks, and were rising fast, data showed.
On Monday, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Ministry of Health said it would monitor travelers visiting the Kurdistan Region from Britain.
