Iran, Iraq close four border crossings to passengers due to COVID concerns

Four border crossings between Iran and Iraq have been closed only to passengers, and one will be shut down as of Tuesday (today), due to the concerns over the spread of the UK strain of the coronavirus, announced the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) on Monday.

The IRICA spokesman, Rouhollah Latifi, added based on a decision by the governor general offices of the border provinces in both countries, Chazabeh, Shalamcheh, Tamarchin and Kileh border crossings have been closed to passengers for a two-week period, which started on Sunday, IRNA reported.

Mehran border crossing will be shut down as of Tuesday, he noted.

The spread of the UK strain of the coronavirus in Iraq has been the main reason for the closure of the border crossings, Latifi said.

However, he added, the border crossings will remain open for conducting commercial and trade activities.

According to the Iranian Health Ministry, the death toll from the coronavirus in the country stood at 59,572 on Monday, with the infections exceeding 1,582,200.

According to worldometers.info, the total number of COVID-19 infections and deaths in Iraq reached 671,801 and 13,295 respectively on Monday.