The Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) Ministry of Interior said that residents will be required to stay in their homes and all markets, bakeries, and businesses are closed for the duration.

The lockdown is part of a public health effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus. So far, 214 people have tested positive for the virus in the Kurdistan Region and two people have died from COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus infection.

The Region has been under a curfew for several weeks, but with residents allowed to go out under limited circumstances, such as to buy food at local markets.

During the total lockdown, all travel, including pedestrian movement, within and between the governorates and administrations of the Kurdistan Region is suspended. The ministry threatened that legal measures will be taken against anyone who violates the curfew regulations.

Anyone caught driving will have their vehicles impounded, the ministry said.

Members of the security forces and health and medical workers will not be allowed to travel unless they are on duty. Journalists are allowed to travel as long as it is for work purposes.

The ministry also said that all travel permits issued by the governorates, administrations, and government offices are now cancelled, along with a decision to allow travel between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Limited trade activities will continue at the border crossings and between the governorates using the previously established guidelines.

Reporter’s code: 50101