Iran eases restaurant curbs; virus toll up by 57

Iran further eased restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus on Tuesday by allowing restaurants to accept customers, as it announced another 57 deaths from the virus. Since the first cases of Covid-19 appeared on its soil in mid-February, the Islamic republic has sought to halt the spread of the virus without imposing lockdowns. A deputy health minister signalled the easing of restrictions on eateries. “Restaurants which before this decree were only allowed to distribute food will be allowed to accept customers from today,” Mohsen Farhadi told state television. —