"The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority announces to all the airlines operating in the country and our valued passengers that the Turkish Civil Aviation Authority has extended the suspension of its flights to and from Iraq until October 1, 2020,” read a statement from the authority.
Turkey first introduced a one-month flight suspension at the beginning of August on the recommendation of its health ministry.
Iraqis currently in Turkey can return home with the help of the embassy.
Iraq is recording more than 3,500 new cases of coronavirus daily and has seen a total of 231,177 cases of coronavirus and 6,959 deaths as of Sunday. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned of a “major health crisis soon” as cases are “exponentially rising to an alarming and worrying level,” beyond what the country’s battered health system can handle.
“The current proliferation of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country has challenged a fragile health system weakened by years of conflict,” WHO stated on August 19, adding the virus is spreading because the government has eased restrictions and people are not following advice on social distancing and wearing protective gear.
Turkey has confirmed a total of 268,546 coronavirus cases and 6,326 deaths, as of Sunday.
