“The three border crossings with Iran will remain open only to bring back the Kurdistan Region's citizens from Iran,” Ahmed said.

“To prevent the spread of Coronavirus into the Kurdistan Region and Iraq through its borders with Iran, we have issued certain regulations and decisions that will limit movement at the border crossings,” he added.

Responding to reports on social media, Sulaimani’s municipal government and the Sulaimani Chamber of Commerce and Industry said on Saturday that they will investigate any allegations of price gouging at shops selling masks in the city and punish any business found to have done so.

“We shall not let the prices rise further. If anyone has a complaint about the prices of face masks, they can contact us,” said Chamber of Commerce Director Soran Abdulghafor.

Ahmed also said that his ministry was monitoring the price of face masks.

Iranian authorities have recorded 42 cases of the Coronavirus, eight of which proved fatal.

Reporter’s code: 50101