Female pilgrims wearing protective face masks walk at Imam Ali Shrine, following the outbreak of coronavirus, in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq. (File photo: Reuters)
Najaf police decided to close the Iraqi province from Wednesday for a week due to the spread of coronavirus in the country, according to Iraqi News Agency.
Iraq had confirmed on Sunday two further deaths due to the coronavirus, taking the total number to six, the state news agency reported citing the health ministry. The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases climbed to 54, according to health officials.
Meanwhile, Iraq has banned all public gatherings and called on citizens to avoid visiting sacred cities and sites to stop the spread of the coronavirus, an official statement said on Monday.
Authorities also called on Iraqis arriving from Iran, China, South Korea, Italy, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Kuwait and Bahrain to stay at home for self-quarantine for 14 days, the statement said.
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