ERBIL — Relevant ministers of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) held a meeting with the governors of the four provinces of Kurdistan to discuss the precautions against coronavirus as neighboring Iran is confirmed affected.

The meeting, attended by interior minister, health minister, and governors of Erbil, Duhok, Sulaymaniyah, and Halabja, was dedicated to ensure that the plan to encounter any possible spread of the novel virus from Iran to Kurdistan is working.

Interior Minister Rebar Ahmad said the cabinet has put the new challenge on the top of its priorities, and necessary measures at the border crossings, airports, and city centres are already put in place.

According Ahmad, KRG institutions are in close coordination with the authorities in Baghdad as well as the World Health Organization to handle the situation.

Health Minister Saman Barzanji told the press that there were no cases of coronavirus recorded in Kurdistan, but border crossings with Iran would remain closed with citizens advised to avoid trips to the neighboring country.

Iranian authorities confirmed on Saturday that 28 people were infected with five dead among them.

BasNews