SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Iraqi minister of health on Monday announced the first cases of a new coronavirus strain.
Minister Hassan al-Tamimi said in a press conference that a number of cases of the new coronavirus variant had been recorded in the country’s labs.
“Results of several tests came back from the labs show that they have been infected by the new variant,” Tamimi said in a press conference.
“The new variant is more contagious,” the minister added, calling on Iraqis to follow the health guidelines to prevent spread of the new virus strain.
A number of children have also been infected with the new COVID-19 variant, he said.
On Saturday, the Iraqi government decided to impose restrictions on movement and social gathering in Iraq as cases of the coronavirus in the country grow in number.
A curfew will be in place from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for two weeks starting Feb. 18, the Iraqi health and safety committee said.
Schools, universities, salons, parks, massage centers, wedding and funeral venues and sites of religious congregation will be closed from February 15 until further notice, the committee said.
“Any person who does not wear face masks will be fined 25,000 Iraqi dinars ($17) and private sectors as well as other places will be fined five million dinars for violations,” Tamimi said.
*This story was updated at 1:56 p.m. EBL time
