Coronavirus outbreak: Iraq shuts border crossing with Kuwait

Kuwait, Bahrain confirm their first novel coronavirus cases, all have come from Iran, amid coronavirus spread.

BASRA - Iraq has shut its Safwan border crossing with Kuwait to travellers and trade at Kuwait's request, the local mayor told Reuters on Monday without providing a reason, amid fears over the spread of coronavirus.

Kuwait said on Monday three people, including a Saudi national, who returned from Iran were infected by the new coronavirus, state news agency KUNA reported.

Bahrain said that one citizen who had returned home from Iran was infected by the virus.

Iraq extended on Saturday an entry ban for any non-Iraqis coming from Iran, which has so far said it had confirmed 43 cases and eight deaths.

Neighbouring Iraq and Iran, both home to Shiite Muslim majorities, share close religious, political, and trade ties.