All Roads Leading to Iraq’s Karbala Province Closed

TEHRAN (IQNA) – All the roads leading to the provinces of Karbala, Iraq, were closed on Thursday, the Nimeh Shaaban, amid coronavirus concerns.

Nimeh Shaaban, or the 15^th day of the lunar Hijri month of Shaaban, marks the birthday anniversary of Imam Mahdi (May God hasten his glad advent).

Every year on this auspicious occasion, a large number of people travel to Karbala from different parts of Iraq and other countries to visit the holy mausoleums of Imam Hussein (AS) and Hazrat Abbas (AS).

But this year, with the aim of preventing the spread of the coronavirus, Commander of Karbala Province’s Police ordered the closure of all roads leading to the province, Shafaaq News reported.

Authorities in the province have also banned religious gatherings and ceremonies.

The holy shrines have also been closed to pilgrims.

The novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, has infected more than 1.5 million people around the world.

In Iraq, 1,202 cases and 69 deaths have been reported so far.

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