Iran braces for second virus wave

IRAN might face a second outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, a government spokesperson said yesterday, as the Islamic Republic banned internal travel and traditional gatherings during the Persian New Year holidays.

“Unfortunately, some Iranians have ignored advice from the health ministry officials and travelled during the New Year holidays… This could cause a second wave of the coronavirus,” Ali Rabiei said on state TV.

President Hassan Rouhani has banned any new trips between cities, Rabiei added, and “violators will be confronted legally”.

The escalating outbreak in Iran has killed 2 077 so far, health ministry official Kianush Jahanpur said, with 143 deaths recorded in the past 24 hours.

Officials have complained that many Iranians ignored appeals to stay at home and cancel travel plans for the holidays that began on Friday.

“This (new) plan is strict and it will create difficulties and restrictions for travel, and prompt people who have already travelled to return home faster,” Rouhani said.

More restrictions would be introduced to contain the virus that has infected 27 017 people nationwide, he added. The government has so far stopped short of imposing a lockdown.

The president said gatherings would also be restricted during Sizdah Bedar on April 1, a nature festival when Iranians traditionally have picnics outdoors.

“These are tough decisions that are necessary to protect lives,” Rouhani said. Authorities have asked Iranians to avoid public places and stay home, while schools, universities, cultural and sports centres have been closed.

Rouhani said the new measures would be implemented until April 4, when under normal circumstances schools open in Iran after the holidays.

Trucks filled with disinfectant and teams of municipal workers on foot continue to spray streets, shrines, public parks, refuse bins, public toilets and markets in Qom, Tehran and other cities and towns with cases of infection.

Authorities announced Iran’s first infections and two deaths from the virus on February 19. Officials have repeatedly dismissed concerns raised by Iranians about the government’s handling of the outbreak, saying all measures to overcome the crisis have been taken. | Reuters