With some measures relaxed, the risk of further COVID-19 case growth raises concerns. Traffic police direct taxies and other vehicles in a traffic jam on May 05, 2020. (MURTADHA AL-SUDANI/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) The Iraqi government and the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) are relaxing their strict anti-pandemic lockdown, despite fears of a second wave of infections, as border crossings with Iran re-open. The measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 were put in place more than two months ago. These measures included airport and border closures, strict curfews, and significant modifications to oil worker shifts. Prime Minister Adil Abd al-Mahdi began the process of loosening restrictions during an April 19 videoconference meeting of the Supreme National Health and Safety Committee. Even as he announced the beginning of loosening restrictions, the embattled prime minister exhorted citizens to remain vigilant. Public statistics from Iraq’s Ministry of Health show a peak of […]