Iran goes into another nationwide lockdown amid COVID resurgence
Yusef Jalali
Press TV, Tehran
Iran has imposed new nationwide restrictions in the wake of a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the country.
From Saturday on, for at least ten days, travel to and from high-risk cities will be banned and non-essential businesses have to roll down their shutters. Schools, entertainment centers, and all public places will also be closed.
Officials have avoided a total lockdown in Tehran, arguing that the capital city accommodates major national and international activities.
The closures come amid a new wave of infections across Iran, which is believed to be the UK variant of COVID-19, entering the country from neighboring Iraq.
Authorities also blame the new spike on the two-week traveling spree during the Persian New Year holidays, which started on March 21.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Iran has passed the two million mark. And the total fatalities have passed 64,000.
Vaccination of the most vulnerable groups of the society is underway in Iran, with Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine, but the country is yet to launch a nationwide vaccination program.
The government hopes to kickstart mass inoculation in two months, using its own homegrown jabs. Although the vaccines have already come in the ring to join the fight against COVID-19, knocking out the virus is still not an easy task.
Health authorities advise everyone to take the new restrictions seriously, saying the chances of survival are much lower for those who get infected with the UK variant of COVID-19.
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