Total virus curfew in Iraqi holy city of Karbala

Iraqi authorities imposed a lockdown in the southern city of Karbala amid increased precautionary measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus in the country.

The Iraqi police were seen patrolling the city and setting up roadblocks including on the road leading to a Shia shrine.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of Shiite Muslim pilgrims visit the holy city of Karbala, but because of the new virus, the city is nearly empty of tourists and all activities have come to a standstill.

Karbala is the holiest city for Shia Muslims.

Iraq has had 52 deaths among 728 confirmed cases of the virus.

The COVID-19 illness causes mild or moderate symptoms in most people, but severe symptoms are more likely in the elderly or those with existing health problems.

The vast majority of people recover from the new virus.

According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.