Entry into Iranian cities will be prohibited for non-residents

Contrary to Rouhani's previous statements that "we don't have anything called quarantine," the government is now announcing new restrictions on movement. The announcement of these restrictions comes as millions of Iranians travel to areas affected by the coronavirus.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced during a coronavirus economic meeting on Thursday, March 26, that stricter regulations were being implemented. He said he would withdraw $1 billion from the National Development Fund if the leadership agreed.

Rouhani emphasized that the government will support businesses that have been affected, provided that they have not laid off any workers.

The Iranian president continued, "We have many hospital beds that have not yet been used." Rouhani also claimed that in the most difficult conditions the country is facing, 20,000 hospital beds remained empty, and today the conditions are such that nurses can do their work as usual.

Kianoush Jahanpour, spokesman and head of the Ministry of Health's Information Center, had officially announced the death of more than 43 doctors and nurses from the coronavirus a day before Rouhani's remarks.

The government is not following a unified strategy to contain the coronavirus. Rouhani has also opposed the imposition of any quarantine, saying: "We do not have anything called quarantine. The rumor that some stores and businesses in Tehran or some cities are quarantined does not exist at all. There is no quarantine today, nor during Nowruz, nor before or after it, and everyone is free to do their business and activities."

Rouhani's remarks prompted millions of Iranians to pack up their bags and travel during the Nowruz holiday, instead of quarantined and staying at home.

Karim Hemmati, head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, has expressed concern that more than eight and a half million people from 19 provinces have traveled, among whom 6,500 people have been identified with symptoms of coronavirus, such as fever.

  Dovalfqari: Travelers should return to their homes immediately

With the rapid increase in the number of coronavirus cases in Iran, it wasn't long before authorities sounded the alarm and asked travelers preparing to travel or who were on their way to return home.

Hossein Zolfaghari, Deputy Minister of Interior and Head of the Social and Law Enforcement Committee of the National Headquarters for Corona Management, warned on Thursday, March 26 (Farvardin 7th), that Corona has not yet reached its peak and that the course of the disease does not show any signs of abating.

Zulfiqari said that starting Thursday, April 27, only people living in cities will be allowed to enter, meaning travel is prohibited. Those who are traveling should return home as soon as possible, and those who are in their places of residence should not travel, as they are not allowed to enter cities.

The deputy interior minister did not elaborate on the situation of the nine million Iranians who traveled from 19 provinces in the country in recent days. Iranian officials said that more than 600,500 of them have been identified as infected with the coronavirus.

The Deputy Minister of Interior also informed that the government's new plan includes the continued closure of universities, schools, parks, gardens, and sports centers, and that traffic on railway lines, airlines, and passenger terminals will remain limited.

“Social distancing plan to begin in Iran on Friday”

Hours after the Deputy Interior Minister's remarks, the "Social Disciplinary Committee of the National Headquarters for the Management of the Corona Disease" located in the ministry also announced the start of the social distancing plan in the country from Friday and explained its details. According to ISNA news agency, this plan is scheduled to be implemented in the first phase until April 15 (one week), and if approved by the National Headquarters for the Management of the Corona Disease, its implementation "will be extended." Hassan Rouhani has stated that the implementation of this plan will be until April 10.

According to this plan, only natives of each city are allowed to enter that city and non-residents are prohibited from entering. Also, according to this plan, the return of travelers to their cities is to be “expedited,” they are not allowed to enter midway cities on the way back.

According to the plan, schools and universities, resorts and recreational centers such as swimming pools and parks will be closed until the end of the specified period. Holding any official or unofficial ceremonies is also prohibited.

Based on this plan, trades and businesses have also been divided into three different groups (a group that must be fully active, a group that must be closed, and a group whose activities may be permitted based on local requirements and conditions).

The announcement states that the vehicles of violators will be impounded for one month with additional costs. A fine of 500,000 Tomans and the sealing of the violators' business units for one month are also on the agenda.

Source: DW