KRG announces curfew due to increase in coronavirus cases

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Kurdistan Region’s interior ministry has announced a curfew across the Region following a spike in coronavirus cases.  

The curfew will be in place from 8pm to 6am, the ministry said in a statement, with the new measures to take effect from Thursday until April 12.

UN-affiliated organizations, security forces, health workers, oil companies, and journalists are exempt from the curfew.

A number of pharmacies will remain open with ministry approval. 

The announcement comes after the Region’s health ministry on Wednesday recorded 1,217 new cases of COVID-19 and 13 deaths in 24 hours, the highest number of new cases in months.

The ministry has recorded a total of 128,264 cases and 3,756 deaths since the pandemic began last year. 

On Wednesday, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region Masrour Barzani raised concerns regarding the spread of the virus.

"I hope that people take this virus seriously," Barzani said in a press conference. "I ask the people of Kurdistan to abide by the health measures set by the ministry, and use the vaccines that have been provided.”

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

The government introduced further restrictions last week, closing all cafes, restaurants, malls and shisha venues from 9pm - 6am, and completely shutting gyms, cinemas, wedding halls and swimming pools.