SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Iraqi authorities on Friday toughened coronavirus policies by locking down entire neighborhoods in Baghdad, as it grapples with its highest COVID-19 caseload yet.
AFP reported that concrete barriers had been placed across the Iraqi capital ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins this week and is normally accompanied by family gatherings and mass prayers.
The number of cases detected daily has hit new highs for several consecutive days lately, peaking at up to 8,500, compared to 6,500 two weeks ago.
The Iraqi ministry of health said on Friday that it would “close commercial centers, shops, restaurants and private medical centers where employees have not been vaccinated”.
The ministry also called on travel agencies to avoid “selling plane tickets to anyone who does not have proof of vaccination”.
Iraq began administrating vaccines in late March, but rollout has been slow owing to low demand.
Many Iraqis are suspicious of the vaccine and few have booked appointments to receive a dose. Rumors of deliberating side-effects have also put many off.
The Iraqi ministry of health urged citizens to inoculate, saying vaccination was the only way to control the outbreak.
The severe spike in case numbers prompted the Iraqi health ministry to issue a grave warning in a statement on Thursday, saying the rise was due to laxity among Iraqis who flout preventive measures.
It said public commitment toward heeding virus prevention measures was “almost non-existent in most regions of Iraq,” where citizens rarely wear face masks and continue to hold large gatherings.
Those who continue to flout prevention measures and instructions “are responsible for the increase in the number of infections,” the statement said. It called on tribal sheikhs, activists and influential figures to speak out and inform the public on the severity of the pandemic.
