Iraqi Airways suspends flights with Iran over Coronavirus

The Iraqi authorities said on Thursday that Iraqi Airways had suspended its flights with Iran as part of health measures to curb spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) after the emergence of infections with the virus in Iran.

"The Iraqi Airways Company has suspended flights to and from the Islamic Republic of Iran after the announcement of the presence of cases of Coronavirus in the Iranian territories, starting Thursday and until further notice," the Iraqi Ministry of Transportation said in a statement.

The ministry's decision came after recommendations issued by the Iraqi Ministry of Health earlier in the day to take necessary measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus into Iraq.

The decision does not include diplomatic missions and the Iraqis in Iran who will be subject to medical examination upon their return to Iraq.

Earlier in the day, the Iraqi authorities decided to suspend the entry of Iranians and prevent the travel of Iraqis to the eastern neighbor.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)