COVID-19 and Kurdistan Region of Iraq

By: Tayeb Hamid Mohammed Sherwani (CSRT 19-1)

The Kurdistan Regional Government implemented several processes and regulations to prevent the prevention and containment of the coronavirus at the start of the epidemic.

Concerning the lethal coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which has taken many lives worldwide in a short period of time, it has captured global attention not only through requirement of treatment but also through containment and prevention to control the spread of the virus. The virus originated in China, which has the second most deaths worldwide while Italy being affected the most. Currently, it seems as if China has halted the further spread of the virus through good countermeasures and management which is a good example of crisis management and response. While one of worst response to the pandemic and bad management is Italy, with it being tragic to observe as it has the most deaths.

As a citizen of the Kurdistan region of Iraq, I consider myself lucky and happy that our government, regardless of being an autonomous region and not officially a country, has managed the pandemic very well. The people have obeyed the laws and regulations that the government has set out. The KRI up till now, the 26th March, has only had 103 infected with the virus and 2 deaths, which most are in stable condition. Considering the regions extensive border with Iran, which has had considerable infections comparatively, the majority of patients that have been infected have travelled back from Iran recently.

The Kurdistan Regional Government implemented several processes and regulations to prevent the prevention and containment of the coronavirus at the start of the epidemic. Some of which were:

1. The quarantine of anyone, who was traveling back from outside of the region, that was suspected of having the virus for a length of 14 days.
2. Cancellation of any event that had large numbers of people gathering in one location.
3. The closure of schools, universities, and other educational institutions and the temporary shutdown of some government institutions. Government employees were encouraged to work from home through online platform which was established for necessary situations similar to the current pandemic.
4. Finally, the government announced a 14 days curfew for cars and people until April, 1st.

The mentioned points above are the reason that made the WHO applauded and chose the KRG as the one of most successful in management and countering against the corona virus, in hope for a world without corona and good health for everyone.