Government services will remain suspended until May 2 under measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) said Wednesday. However, it did not mention any further extension to the lockdown.
“The Council of Ministers thanks the public for their patience and adherence to health instructions and protection procedures,” read the KRG statement.
“We have decided to extend the suspension of government institutions until May 2 while the protection procedures will continue.”
The current suspension was due to expire on Thursday.
It is not clear whether the KRG will also extend the lockdown, which is also due to expire on Thursday.
KRG officials, including Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, have hinted the lockdown could be extended until health authorities are convinced the outbreak has been brought under control.
“Today I spoke by phone with Erbil province’s ops room and thanked them for their hard work, dedication, and leadership,” Barzani tweeted on Tuesday.
“I also asked them to continue to administer government measures. The curfew remains in place until we have full control over the spread of the coronavirus.”
However, the KRG statement said Barzani will “do his best to ease the burden on the public, in a way that does not impact on the implementation of protection procedures and health instructions,” suggesting some restrictions could be eased in the near future.
The Kurdistan Region has a total of 332 coronavirus cases. Of these, 194 people have recovered and four have died.
In a positive development, just two new cases have been recorded in the last three days.
This dramatic fall in the spread of the virus could make the case for easing restrictions, which are taking a toll on the economy and private incomes.
By Karwan Faidhi Dri
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