SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The Kurdistan Regional Government on Friday imposed bans on travel to and from 21 countries to curb spread of COVID-19.
The countries include Britain, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Spain, Brazil, USA, India, South Africa, Australia, the Netherlands, Japan and Zambia, the KRG ministry of interior said in a statement.
The travel ban goes into effect at 12 a.m. on Saturday, the ministry of interior added.
“Banning travel for foreigners from those countries, except for U.N. and international agencies and organizations, Coalition and diplomats,” the statement read.
The interior ministry further said that Iraqis returning from those countries should quarantine themselves for 14 days in line with the health guidelines.
The ministry also lifted a travel ban on tourists visiting Iran from the border crossings of Haji Omeran, Bashmkh and Parvezkhan.
On Wednesday, Iraqi Supreme Committee for National Health and Safety extended its COVID-19 travel ban from six countries to twenty in an effort to prevent spread of the new virus strain.
The countries included Britain, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Spain, Brazil, the U.S., India, Australia, Japan, South Africa and Zambia.
Iran and the Netherlands were removed from the list, according to Iraqi premier’s media office.
