SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) on Thursday imposed bans on travel from eight countries through the border crossings, as part of measures against the coronavirus pandemic.
The KRG Ministry of Interior issued a number of new decisions to curb spread of the coronavirus in the Kurdistan Region.
The interior ministry said it would ban travel to and from Britain, South Africa, Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Iran and Japan for everyone except Iraqis, who will be quarantined for 14 days on their own expense.
“Agencies, U.N. and international organizations, Coalition forces and diplomats as well as formal delegations are allowed [to visit the Kurdistan Region] in accordance with health guidelines,” the ministry stated.
The ministry also ordered the closure of border crossings of Haji Omeran, Bashmakh and Parvezkhan for tourism.
The KRG ministry banned all kinds of gatherings, conferences, meetings and parties, the statement read. It also banned parties in hotels, halls, cafeterias, restaurants, night clubs, malls and centers for the New Year.
The decisions go into effect from 12 a.m. on Friday until January 15, 2021.
On Wednesday, Sulaimani chamber of commerce and industry said the city’s airport had banned travel from eight countries under the directive of Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority.
Iraqi Council of Ministers issued several decisions on Tuesday to stem the transmission of a coronavirus variant that health authorities say can spread faster than others.
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.
The federal government also ordered the closure of border crossings with neighboring countries, according to a government statement.
*This story was updated at 02:56 p.m. EBL time
