Iraq locks down 6 districts in Baghdad to stem virus

BAGHDAD

Iraq ordered a lockdown in six districts in the capital Baghdad on Monday to stem the spread of coronavirus.

"The lockdown will start as of Wednesday for two weeks," Health Minister Hasan al-Tamimi told a press conference in Baghdad.

He said the restrictions will include the districts of al-Sadr, Habiba, Kamaliya, Hurriya, Shua'la and al-Amiriya.

"The decision was taken due to the rise in the number of coronavirus infections in Baghdad province," he said.

A Health Ministry spokesman said the lockdown will include the closure of all shops and ban of movement between districts.

"Only bakeries and food shops will be allowed to open during certain hours to be announced later," he said.

Iraqi authorities relaxed restrictions imposed to stem the spread of COVID-19 virus on April 21.

Iraq has confirmed 123 deaths from the disease and 3,404 infections.

Since the virus emerged in Wuhan, China last December, it has spread to 188 countries and regions.

The global death toll from the novel coronavirus has exceeded 315,000, with more than 4.73 million confirmed cases, and recoveries topping 1.73 million, according to a running tally by the US’ Johns Hopkins University.

*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara