Nechirvan Barzani, the Kurdistan Region president, thanked the public on Monday for respecting the strict new lockdown measures imposed to halt the spread of COVID-19 and the key workers who helped implement them.
In a social media post on Monday morning, shortly before the 48-hour total lockdown was due to be lifted, Barzani said he was “proud” of their contribution.
“I thank the citizens and residents of the Kurdistan Region for staying at home and adhering to the regulations,” Barzani said.
“Special thanks to the health workers, the Peshmerga, the airport and border guards, the security forces and the media, and all the heroes who did not give up to protect Kurdistan from the coronavirus.”
“We are proud of you,” he added.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) imposed a much stricter version of its existing lockdown at midday on Saturday, demanding the closure of all businesses and ordering the public off the streets for 48 hours.
The stricter measures were brought into force on Saturday after a growing number of people were caught violating the restrictions and health officials detected a further spike in the number of COVID-19 cases.
On Saturday, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani urged the public to respect his government’s measures.
“As difficult as it is, we have taken this action after a rise in curfew violations and coronavirus cases,” the prime minister said in a series of tweets.
“We Kurdistanis are no strangers to hardships, and through small sacrifices now, we will prevail.”
“By acting as one, we will save lives, make our recovery easier, and win our war against COVID-19,” he added.
By Robert Edwards
