“Iraq’s Council of Ministers approved a lockdown for a period of 10 days, from May 12 to May 22, to reduce the spread of coronavirus,” Iraqi Prime Minister’s media office announced on Tuesday in a statement to Telegram.
The statement added that the decision comes after the health ministry “recorded an increase in the number of cases throughout Iraq.”
Malls, restaurants, cafes, cinemas, parks, venues, swimming pools, and gyms will be closed during the lockdown period. Gatherings are also banned.
The number of coronavirus infections in Iraq has now surpassed one million, with more than 150,000 deaths. Iraq’s health system is already dilapidated and in danger of collapsing with the rapid increase in coronavirus cases.
Preventative measures like weekend lockdowns have not significantly lowered the rate of infection. The government previously announced that public servants cannot return to work and people cannot visit certain government offices unless they get vaccinated.
Iraq has received doses of the Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Sinopharm vaccines. More than 390,000 people have been vaccinated so far, according to data from the Iraqi health ministry.
Health authorities last month called on citizens to get vaccinated amid weak turnout, sharing videos of health professionals confirming that the vaccines are safe and effective.
