ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – In a speech on Saturday, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani urged all sides to continue cooperation with the authorities, as the autonomous region takes more measures to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Along with the concerted efforts of the teams dedicated to fighting the outbreak, PM Barzani thanked the public for abiding by the government’s regulations.

“I want to thank you for complying with the public measures and advice in recent weeks put in place for your well-being,” read an English version of Barzan’s speech on the official Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) website.

“I also want to thank the ministerial committee tasked with combatting the coronavirus and other relevant authorities for their efforts not only to protect citizens, but in addressing citizens’ everyday supply needs,” Barzani added.

He also expressed his appreciation for the concerted efforts of the Interior Ministry, police, security service, Health Ministry, and “medical teams in the frontlines risking their lives for our safety.”

The Prime Minister stated that the KRG would do everything to ensure public safety and urged the people to “abide by the Ministry of Health advice; continue to wash your hands regularly and reduce your physical contact with others and stay at home as much as possible. If you notice symptoms, call the dedicated emergency helpline on 122 for assistance.”

Barzani also pointed out that the KRG is among the first governments worldwide to take protective and health measures, by restricting movement on borders, checkpoints, establishing medical inspection teams on border-crossings and airports, also restricting movement inside and between the cities.

“Restricting movement is for the sake of limiting physical contact and to find those who are believed to have contracted the virus in order to prevent further spread,” Barzani noted.

Prime Minister Barzani pointed out that along with a health hazard, the coronavirus would negatively impact the economy. He stated, however, “we have faced far worse threats in the past, overcoming tyranny and terror, and we have succeeded. I am certain this time too, by helping each other and abiding by the public health advice, we can together get through this difficult chapter.”

Barzani also called upon the government bodies and property owners to “take into consideration this situation and the impact on rent, so we can share the burden together and alleviate the impact.”

Barzani concluded his speech by stressing that KRG will continue to do what is necessary” to respond to the coronavirus and its impacts on our economy.”

“We will not hesitate to take decisions necessary for the well-being of the Kurdistani peoples, and I urge all the political parties to rally behind us.”