Iran Press/Iran News: Hossein Qasemi on Wednesday announced the suspension of passenger commute on Iran-Iraq borders until April 4.
The decision was made by the National Task Force for Fighting Coronavirus following the request of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Qasemi added.
Iranian Health Minister Saeed Namaki earlier announced that the UK variant had entered Khuzestan Province from Iraq.
After discussing the COVID-19 surge in Khuzestan Province and taking Namaki's remarks into consideration, Qasemi stated, a request had been made to stop passengers commuting on Iran's common border with Iraq, and it had been limited.
Accordingly, pilgrims' commute had been stopped, he noted.
However, if there are Iranian nationals in Iraq who want to come back to Iran, or if Iraqi nationals in Iran want to go back to their country, they can cross the border, he said.
Also, border crossing for traders, contractors and engineering activities would be possible after necessary evaluations, he added.
In recent days, extensive measures have been taken in Khuzestan Province to combat the coronavirus outbreak, namely monitoring Iran-Iraq borders more.
On Feb. 20, Iran closed several crossing points with Iraq to stem the spread of a new variant of COVID-19.
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