Erbil partial lockdown lifted, mosques open for Ramadan

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — An overnight curfew in Erbil part of measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus will be lifted on Monday, the province’s governor has said.

Though the partial lockdown imposed on the Kurdistan Region last week will be lifted, other coronavirus measures will remain in force.

“We will continue to deploy forces so that citizens are fined if they violate wearing masks,” governor Omed Khoshnaw said.

On Thursday, when the overnight curfew came to effect, photos and videos of crowded city streets were shared on social media as few people abided by the stay-at-home order. 

“Some things are being eased, but I reiterate that it doesn’t mean that the danger of corona has decreased,” the governor said. “It has increased, and it is expected to increase more.”

Mosques will be for the holy month of Ramadan, Khoshnaw said. Friday prayers will be permitted, but with restrictions.

The Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Endowment and Religious Affairs said on Sunday that Ramadan would begin on April 13. The ministry issued a statement on restrictions and guidelines for mosques to observe during the holy month.

Nighttime prayers, longer during Ramadan, should not exceed 35 minutes, the ministry said. Worshippers and imams must wear a mask and bring their own prayer rugs to the mosque.

Food and drinks will not be served for iftar, ablution for prayer should be performed at home, handshakes are not allowed, and Friday sermons must not last longer than 30 minutes.

Mosques will be closed if they do not comply with the rules, the ministry said.

Regarding schools and universities, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) spokesperson Jotiar Adil on Sunday during a press conference announced that teaching in schools will be suspended, but classes “will continue online.” Grade 12 students are exempt from the measure, and will continue going to school.

Universities and institutions of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research will continue to hold practical classes on campus. Other classes will otherwise continue online or electronically.

Travel restrictions between the Kurdistan Region and federal Iraqi provinces continue, with movement banned on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with the exception of diplomatic missions and cargo trucks.

Adil urged people to get vaccinated and comply with health measures.

“We reassure our people that the vaccine is the only way to curb the spread of the virus, and I call on everyone to visit the centers and get vaccinated,” said Adil.

Rules and restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus were announced before the Newroz holiday, but were largely ignored by the public.

Restrictions announced last week included the closure of all cafes, restaurants, malls, and places serving shisha from 9pm - 6am, and the complete closure of gyms, cinemas, wedding halls and swimming pools.

The Kurdistan Region’s health ministry said on Sunday that it had recorded 1,129 new cases of COVID-19 and 11 deaths in 24 hours, bringing the total of registered cases to 132,270.