Covid-19 Updates as of 25 February 2020

Iraq response to COVID-19

• Restriction of entry to non-Iraqi travelers (direct or indirect for a previous period of 14-days) coming from China, Iran, South Korea, Thailand, Japan, Italy, and Singapore until further notice.
• Iraqis coming from these countries are quarantined at their homes for 14 days (for those of no clinical signs), and at designated hospitals in each governorate (for those with clinical symptoms).
• Advise citizens to avoid gatherings (especially in closed sites) and travel (except in emergency situations).
• Avoid conducting meetings, symposiums, and other events except for emergency conditions.
• Adopt a fast track mechanism to procure medical supplies, test kits, PPEs, thermal scanners, and other needed diagnostic and curative commodities through KIMADIA and distribute it to all possible sites (Ports of Entry, Government buildings, etc.).
• Since a case has been identified in Najaf & 4 in Kirkuk, special measures are taken in the holy governorate as follows:
• Inspection of all who were in contact with cases.
• Quarantine all those coming from Iran after 10 Feb 2020 and test those with clinical symptoms.
• Advise citizens not to travel between governorates (especially Najaf and Kirkuk) except for emergencies.

COVID-19 prevention activities supported by WHO in Iraq from 10th January 2020 to date

COVID-19 prevention activities supported by WHO in Iraq from 10th January 2020 to date

• MoH had their ARI response plans, that had been quickly activated with technical guidance of WHO on 10th January to the relevant authorities in MoH to prepare the Ports of Entry and establish surveillance in the PoEs.
• MoH higher committee meeting convened on 27th January 2020
• Coordination teams established on 29th January 2020.
• Quarantine of passengers at six PoEs started from 31st January 2020; three more POE-screening facilities between Iran and Iraq established on 20th February