Coronavirus Surge and Travel Ban to Khuzestan, Gilan, Mazandran, and Golestan
Many cities in Khuzestan Province are in a red status. Entry and exit to this province have been banned. A similar situation prevails in tourism and pilgrimage cities. There is also talk of travel restrictions to several other provinces.
The number of COVID-19 patients increased by 8,206 people in the 24 hours leading up to the 7th of Esfand (February 25). As a result, the number of coronavirus patients in Iran based on definitive diagnostic criteria has reached at least 1 million and 607 thousand people.
The officials of the Islamic Republic have reported 94 coronavirus deaths in Iran in the past 24 hours. According to Iranian government statistics released by the Ministry of Health, approximately 60,000 people (59,830 people) have so far lost their lives in Iran due to COVID-19.
The Ministry of Health has announced that approximately 10 million people in Iran have been tested for coronavirus diagnosis so far.
Critical Situation in Four Iranian Provinces
Many cities in Khuzestan Province are in red status. The Ministry of Health has identified some of these cities as Abadan, Ahvaz, Mahshahr Port, Khorramshahr, Dezful, and Shustar.
Although the Ministry of Health has declared the status of 11 cities as red and 31 cities as orange, Timoor Hosseini, Deputy Commander of Traffic Police of NAJA, announced travel restrictions to four provinces and seven tourism and pilgrimage cities.
Hosseini said that “travel to Khuzestan Province and exit from it are completely restricted and there is no possibility of traveling to or exiting Khuzestan.”
In addition, travel to Iran’s northern provinces (Gilan, Mazandran, and Golestan) has also been banned. The reason for imposing travel restrictions to Khuzestan and the aforementioned provinces has been stated as a “coronavirus surge.”
The Deputy Commander of Traffic Police also said that travel to the cities of Mashhad, Shiraz, Isfahan, Bushehr, Bandar Abbas, Kish, and Qeshm is also prohibited.
Hosseini, in an interview with a reporter from the Iranian Students News Agency “ISNA,” said that these restrictions will continue until further notice. He did not announce a specific date for lifting these restrictions.
Moreover, it is said that movement restrictions in cities with red and orange status remain valid and “nighttime traffic from 9 PM to 3 AM also continues in all cities of the country.”
The Deputy Commander of Traffic Police warned drivers that violating regulations will be subject to penalties and unauthorized vehicles will be fined.
It should be noted that with the approach of Nowruz holidays, officials are concerned about people traveling to tourist and recreational destinations.
Source: DW
