Iraq lifts hurried ban on passenger travel from Iran
The Iraqi government has allowed travel of passengers from neighboring Iran just two days after it announced borders would close for two weeks over fears about the spread of a new variant of the coronavirus.
A deputy Iranian transportation minister said on Sunday that passengers could resume travelling to Iraq from two border crossings in northwest and west of the country.
Shahram Adamnejad said that Iraqi authorities had effectively dismantled a ban enacted on December 24 over fears that passengers from Iran could be infected with a new variant of the coronavirus.
“Based on an announcement by the country of Iraq, the restriction on travel of passengers from Parviz Khan Crossing in Kermanshah province and Bashmaq Crossing in Kurdistan province has been lifted since yesterday December 26,” said Adamnejad.
The official said Iraq’s ban had only affected passengers, insisting that trade has been flowing across the borders.
Most of Iranians travel to Iraq for religious purposes as the country is home to shrines revered by Shia Muslims. Those visits have reduced significantly, however, since coronavirus erupted in Iran in February.
An annual march to the holy Iraqi city of Karbala, an event held in late summer which normally attracts millions of people, was cancelled this year because of fears over a mass spread of the virus.
Adamnejad told the semi-official Fars news agency that Iraq had intended to hold its recent ban on passenger travel from Iran for two weeks.
A new variant of the coronavirus, which is believed to be much more infectious than its normal type, has been circulating in European countries since the middle of December.
Iran has banned travel from the United Kingdom where the new variant was first reported by the scientists and government authorities.
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