“We shall decide what to do after that according to the situation at the time,” Deputy Chief of Staff of Peshmerga Training and Operations Major General Qaraman Kamal said in a statement posted on the ministry's website.

Also on Thursday, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani visited a medical center to observe preparations in case any residents of the Kurdistan Region become infected.

“The visit was to make sure of the preparations against the virus and to be ready,” Barzani said.

“The preparations in the Kurdistan Region are way ahead compared to some other countries. It is something to be happy about. We ask the people to cooperate with medical staff for their own safety,” Barzani added.

So far, no coronavirus cases have been recorded in the Kurdistan Region, but six cases have been confirmed in Iraq. All of those are people who have recently returned from Iran, where the death toll reached twenty-six on Tuesday.

Reporter’s code: 50101