In a statement released Sunday night, Erbil province’s Operations Room said that taking the livelihood of the people into account the option of “quarantine and complete lockdown” was not chosen, however warned that if people “do not adhere to the health guidelines, especially wearing a mask, we will immediately implement the second option for the sake of public health and safety,” a Sunday statement said.
The statement added that security forces – Asayish, police, Zeravani and traffic police – will be deployed on the streets on Monday “to monitor” the public’s adherence to the health guidelines.
A “secret committee” that monitors the governmental offices and institutions was also mentioned in the statement, adding that no one is allowed to enter those institutions without a mask.
Regarding cafeterias and restaurants, the statement encouraged the use of outdoor spaces. “Those that don’t have a garden, should limit the number of their customers and open doors and windows” to let air pass through, added the statement.
Erbil has had limited success enforcing requirements for the public to wear masks. It has also banned gatherings, as well as funerals, seminars, conferences, and cinemas.
The statement added that in case of any violation there will be legal consequences.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) expects to begin vaccinating the public with its newly received 43,800 doses of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccines on Monday, according to a health official. On Friday, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani announced the arrival of new doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from Baghdad.
"15,800 vaccines will be sent to Erbil province, 16,500 to both Sulaimani and Halabja provinces and 11,500 to Duhok," deputy director of health Rahel Faridun told Rudaw on Saturday of the new batch.
The Kurdistan Region is seeing a second wave of the coronavirus; it hit a record high on Sunday as the health ministry recorded 926 new cases and 11 deaths in just 24 hours after a steady increase in daily new infections since mid-February.
Schools are also to remain closed up to April 8 except for Grade 12 students, a decision by the Ministry of Education, criticized by Kurdistan’s Teachers’ Union.
