Iraq has shut its Safwan border crossing with Kuwait to travellers and trade at Kuwait’s request, the local mayor told Reuters on Monday without providing a reason, amid fears over the spread of coronavirus. Kuwait said on Monday three people, including a Saudi national, who returned from Iran were infected by the new coronavirus, state news agency KUNA reported.
Iraq extended on Saturday an entry ban for any non-Iraqis coming from Iran, which has so far said it had confirmed 43 cases and eight deaths. Neighbouring Iraq and Iran share close religious, political, and trade ties.
In a similar move, the Deputy Director General of Kuwait Airport Affairs Saleh Al-Fadaghi sent a circular to all airlines operating from Kuwait airport to stop all flights with Iraq, and prevent those entering Kuwait who have a residence or entry visa.
Kuwait Ports Authority announced Monday banning entry of ships from Iraq to the ports of Shuaiba, Shuwaikh and Doha until further notice, as part of efforts to stop the new coronavirus (COVID-19) from spreading.
General Manager of Kuwait Ports Sheikh Yousef Abdullah Sabah Al-Nasser Al-Sabah said in statement that this decision is within precautionary measures taken by the authority to stop this epidemic from spreading into the country.
The decision also comes in line with a government contingency plan, taking all necessary measures to combat the virus, he added.
Earlier, the Iraqi Ministry of Health announced registering first infection with the coronavirus; an Iranian student in the Iraqi province of Najaf.
The new virus first appeared late last year in a seafood market in Wuhan, central China, where wild animals were being sold illegally
Source: Gulf News and Agencies