Erbil hotels converted into quarantine centers

Hotels in the Kurdistan Region capital of Erbil are being commandeered to quarantine people entering the country from nations badly hit by the coronavirus. 

The Kurdistan Regional Government and Erbil International Airport authorities have imposed strict measures to quarantine anyone arriving from a list of more than 30 countries experiencing outbreaks of COVID-19.

Symptoms of the coronavirus can take up to 14 weeks to appear, so even those who appear healthy when they arrive are being placed in isolation.

The Kurdistan Region’s hospitality industry has been pressed into action to house new arrivals. There is limited space however, and authorities are urging more hotels to volunteer rooms. 

On Saturday, Erbil International Airport authorities said: “All passengers arriving to Erbil, of any nationality, who have been in one of the following countries in the last 30 days, will be subject to immediate quarantine requirements on arrival.

“Belgium; Hungary; Croatia; Cyprus; Germany; France; Greece; Albania; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Malta; Netherlands (Holland); Czech Republic; Poland; Portugal; Romania; Slovakia; Slovenia; Finland; Spain; Sweden; Bosnia-Herzegovina; United Kingdom; Republic of Ireland, Norway; Serbia; Montenegro; Bulgaria; Austria; Switzerland; Lebanon,” the airport said in a statement.

On Sunday, health officials said 1,564 people are currently quarantined across the Kurdistan Region.  

Twenty-nine people are currently receiving medical treatment for the coronavirus. There has been one recorded death and four recoveries.