“People need to stay at home and let the medical teams do their work,” a statement from the ministry read.

It will begin at 12 a.m. (midnight) Saturday.

The new measures comes after eight new cases were recorded on Friday in Kurdistan Region, including seven in Sulaimani and one in Erbil, NRT reported.

Sulaimani Governor Haval Abubakr said earlier on Friday said that travel would be restricted between Sulaimani city and the outlying towns in the governorate until March 28.

Twenty-seven cases of coronavirus have been recorded in the Region so far. One person has died and another fully recovered.

Initially, most people appear to have contracted the virus in Iran, where there is a major outbreak of the disease. However, many of the new cases involve people who became sick from contact with others while inside the Region or in places other than Iran.

Health officials have urged people to wash their hands frequently, avoid crowded spaces, and to follow government instructions.

During the curfew, officials will continue to staff the 122 coronavirus telephone hotline for medical aid and advice.

Reporter’s code: 50101