SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The interior ministry said on Monday people who visit the Kurdistan Region should take coronavirus tests within 72 hours of their planned entry into the Region.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Ministry of Interior issued a 13-point statement on Monday, amid a surge in coronavirus cases in the Region.
Earlier on Monday, Health Minister Saman Barzinji warned that the health condition in the Kurdistan Region has entered a “dangerous” phase.
The Region recorded 1,985 new cases of COVID-19 in the previous 24 hours, the highest single-day rise since the start of the pandemic.
“People who come to the Kurdistan Region from Iraqi provinces should take coronavirus tests 72 hours before they travel to the Kurdistan Region,” the interior ministry said.
It added that health teams would be stationed at the checkpoints to take “random samples” from people visiting the Region.
The interior ministry also ordered the closure of halls of wedding parties, occasions and events as well as hotel halls as part of its measures against the pandemic.
“Cinema halls in malls and markets will be closed in all cities and towns of the Kurdistan Region,” it said.
It also called on the Region’s residents to avoid visiting each other during Eid al-Adha due to a rise in coronavirus infections.
The ministry also called on the Kurdistan Region’s citizens to wear masks and keep social distance in public.
“The private sectors should commit their employees and workers to wear masks, otherwise, the institution will be fined 150,000 dinars for each case,” the ministry said.
“Anybody who doesn’t wear masks will be fined 20,000 dinars,” it added, stating that drivers will be fined 50,000 dinars if passengers and drivers fail to wear masks.
The ministry also said citizens should be encouraged to register in the government’s system to receive coronavirus vaccines.
