The committee overseeing Iraq’s response to the pandemic hopes to lift the coronavirus curfew in early August Iraq’s airports will resume international commercial flights on July 23 as the country begins to ease coronavirus lockdown measures, local daily Baghdad Post reported. The decision also affects airports within the Iraqi Kurdistan region. The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority banned commercial passenger flights in March as part of efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Authorities extended the ban as infection rates of the virus were rising. However, the government committee overseeing Iraq’s response to the pandemic announced on Thursday the easing several lockdown measures with hopes of lifting the curfew in early August. Meanwhile, Shopping malls may now re-open and a curfew will be imposed for shorter hours, form 9:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. local time.