Coronavirus outbreak: Qatar evacuates its citizens from Iran

Following the outbreak of the coronavirus in Iran, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, ordered the country's citizens to leave Iran on Wednesday, March 28.

Iranian officials say 19 people have died from the coronavirus so far. The virus has spread to 18 provinces in Iran and infected 139 people.

As the coronavirus outbreak in Iran and its spread to other countries continues, Qatari and Emirates airlines have suspended their flights to Iran and vice versa.

Qatar Airways had previously announced that all passengers arriving at Doha Airport from Iran, South Korea, and other countries with reported cases of the virus would be screened and quarantined for 14 days.

The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Doha, Qatar, also advised Iranian citizens to postpone their trip to Qatar for the time being, considering these measures.

The Iranian Consulate in Dubai also says that the UAE government's action to cut off air and sea transport with Iran has caused "uncertainty, concern, and confusion for a large number" of Iranian citizens in the country.

The Iranian Consulate in Dubai has said that it has requested relevant officials in the United Arab Emirates government to issue permission for Mahan Air, Iran Air, and Kish Air to fly unmanned aircraft to the Emirates to return these citizens to Iran, but no results have been achieved yet.

Pakistan: Two cases of coronavirus

Pakistan's acting health minister, Zafar Mirza, also said on Wednesday that two cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the country.

According to Pakistani media, the two people infected with the coronavirus had recently traveled to Iran.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that Pakistan has intensified its measures to combat the coronavirus in border areas with Iran.

Three people confirmed dead in Lahijan

The governor of Lahijan has also said that out of the seven suspected deaths in the city, "three of them have tested positive."

Ismail Mirghazanfari has urged people to "stay at home and not go out."

Regarding the cause of death of the nurse at Milad Hospital in the city, the governor of Lahijan also stated: "The cause of her death has not yet been determined, and if her test is determined and confirmed, the public will be informed."

According to IRNA, Lahijan city has two government hospitals and two private hospitals, one of which is an old hospital in the city that is designated for isolating patients infected with the coronavirus.

In this context, Iran's Health Minister announced on Wednesday the imposition of restrictions on movement for people suspected of being infected with the coronavirus between cities.

Saeed Namaki said: "Instead of quarantining cities, restrictions will be imposed on the movement of people suspected of having contracted the coronavirus, and teams from the Ministry of Health will be stationed at the entrances to cities where there is heavy traffic, measuring body temperatures with digital thermometers, and suspicious people will be stopped."

The Iranian Health Minister also advised: "I urge all people not to travel. When restrictions and school closures are imposed for a few days, people should not travel and should not travel from infected or non-infected areas to other parts of the country."

Source: Radio Farda