Coronavirus: Iraq enforces strict measures to curb virus as situation remains ‘unstable’

Curfew extended to 12 hours as government urges public to adhere to anti-Covid policies

Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Mustafa al-Kadhimi delivers a speech during the vote on the new government at the parliament headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, May 7, 2020. Iraqi Parliament Media Office/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.
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Iraq on Monday extended a curfew to curb the spread of the coronavirus as the country recorded an increase in cases.

Iraq has so far dodged a catastrophic spread of the virus, recording 2,818 cases with a relatively low death count of 110.

On Monday, Baghdad recorded 51 new cases and one death.

"The current situation remains unstable," said Riyad Abdul Amir, a director of the Ministry of Health. "We have recorded an increase in coronavirus cases due to two reasons.

"The first is the increase in testing and the second is due to the underestimation of preventive measures."

Baghdad’s Sadr City and Zaafarana recorded the highest number of infections.

Both areas are “highly populated and the public have not adhered to the imposed government measures", Mr Abdul Amir said.

The suspension of flights to and from Iraq will remain in place, he said.

The curfew will run from 5pm to 5am daily, with a full lockdown to be enforced on Eid Al Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan.

The government has set a hefty fine for those breaching the rules.

Mr Abdul Amir urged all citizens to abide by public measures “to reduce an increase in infected cases".

With a healthcare system depleted by years of conflict and corruption, officials across the country have warned that they are not equipped to deal with a full-blown crisis.

The country was under a strict lockdown by March 15, with schools, universities, workplaces and restaurants forced to shut.

Iraq's first case was announced in the final week of February, a month after the virus was first reported in the Middle East.

Since then, curfew measures have been widely ignored, officials and witnesses say.

Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi discussed with US President Donald Trump late on Monday ways to expand co-operation between the two countries to fight the virus.

Mr Trump stressed "his country's willingness to provide the necessary assistance to support Iraq's economy and stability", Mr Al Kadhimi's office said.