Kurdistan Region announces three-day lockdown for Eid al-Fitr: spox

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — A lockdown will be put in place in the Kurdistan Region for the three days of Eid al-Fitr in mid-May to curb the the spread of coronavirus, said the government spokesperson. 

“The Kurdistan Regional Government announces a three-day lockdown and stay-at-home order for Eid al-Fitr,” tweeted spokesperson Jotiar Adil late Wednesday. 

Eid al-Fitr, during which Muslims celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan, often by visiting family members, will take place in mid-May. 

The Kurdistan Region recorded 1,031 new cases, 973 recoveries and 16 deaths on Wednesday. The Region has recorded 149,140 cases, including 125,601 recoveries and 4,005 deaths, since the start of the pandemic, according to the health ministry. 

Schools, which were recently closed due to a surge in virus cases, will remain closed, said Adil after a government meeting to review the measures. 

A new variant of the virus has spread across India, leading the Iraqi government to ban flights to the country. Adil said this ban also applies in the Kurdistan Region. 
 
"Travel and flights between the #Kurdistan Region and #India have been suspended. Individuals traveling from India to the Kurdistan Region will be required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival," he tweeted.