ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – In a bid to boost precautionary measures in Erbil province and its districts, on Thursday, a large number of face masks was distributed for free to shopkeepers, shoppers, and residents as markets and businesses reopen in the province following a lockdown.

The campaign comes as the Kurdistan Region is witnessing a sharp increase in the numbers of COVID-19 cases that forced authorities to impose a region-wide lockdown to mitigate the risks of further spreading of the highly contagious virus.

On Tuesday, the Kurdistan Region recorded a new record-breaking number of COVID-19 cases since the outbreak first hit the region in early March, including 104 cases and seven deaths during the previous 24 hours.

During a press conference, Erbil Governor Firsat Sofi announced that the governorate had distributed 150,000 disposable face masks to residents at shops and markets in Erbil province. He also warned if businesses and residents do not strictly adhere to health measures they would face legal consequences, including shutting down businesses of violators.

“Another 150,000 face masks, provided by the [Kurdistan Regional Government] KRG ministry of interior, were distributed to government agencies and security forces members,” the governor added, describing the current health condition in the province as “very dangerous.”

The campaign of free-mask-distribution would reach all the districts and sub-districts of Erbil province, the governor said. Likewise, Khabat and Soran districts in Erbil province witnessed the same campaign, sources told Kurdistan 24.

The Kurdistan Region announced on Tuesday that local provincial governments would be given the authority to implement certain relaxations of current health regulations amid a new temporary region-wide curfew following a spike in coronavirus cases.

On Tuesday, Erbil’s trade control directorate, in order to prevent spiking prices as the demand for protective masks increases following the markets reopening, set prices for disposable face masks at 10, 000 IQD ($8) for one box, containing 50 pieces.

The relevant government agencies in the Kurdistan Region repeatedly urge shopkeepers, drivers, and businesses to strictly adhere to the health guidelines, using protective gear such as wearing face masks and gloves. That demand has dramatically increased the prices of face masks, in particular.

According to the latest KRG tally, there are 910 confirmed cases in the Kurdistan Region, including 16 deaths, and 441 recoveries.