Iraq: Coronavirus Damages Iraqi Economy with Fall in Tourism, Oil Prices

Mar 23, 2020 | Omar al-Jaffal, Al-Monitor
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As of March 23, Iraq had registered 266 novel coronavirus cases, with 23 deaths. Although Iraq is much better off than many other countries, the fast-growing number of cases — 33 new infections and three more deaths in a 24-hour period — indicate that Iraq soon may face a very difficult situation. Also, measures the government has taken to fight the virus have damaged the economy; these steps have included imposing a curfew, closing roads between cities and canceling all religious tourism. This is not mention the oil price drop.