Eid al-Fitr Holidays and High Travel Risk During Corona Crisis

While the Minister of Health has asked people not to travel during Eid al-Fitr holidays, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Tourism has established a “Travel Services Coordination Headquarters” ahead of Eid al-Fitr. However, the governor of Lorestan Province says they are unable to accept guests.

In Iran, Sunday and Monday of next week, the 4th and 5th of Khordad, are public holidays for Eid al-Fitr. Because Saturday falls between two holidays, most government offices and institutions are also effectively closed on that day. This creates a very high likelihood of people traveling.

This issue is apparently the “biggest concern” of Iran’s Ministry of Health. Saeed Namaki, Iran’s Minister of Health, has asked people not to travel during Eid al-Fitr holidays. He said: “Our biggest concern is that by not observing distancing and protocols, we will face disease peaks again in the country.”

Namaki emphasized that “new travels mean new COVID-19 cases.”

According to the Minister of Health, in many parts of Iran 90 percent of the population has not yet been infected. He added: “If something new happens and, God forbid, this predicament causes a new wave of disease in the country, it will truly be very difficult and stressful work for me and my colleagues.”

At the same time as the Minister of Health’s statements, an organization called the “Travel Services Coordination Headquarters” affiliated with the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Tourism announced preparations ahead of Eid al-Fitr to provide services to travelers during the holidays.

In its statement, this headquarters emphasized that it has “the necessary readiness for smart management” of Eid al-Fitr travels.

Part of this statement read: “The central Travel Services Coordination Headquarters of the country, while recommending people and travelers to fully observe the health regulations and recommendations of the National Coronavirus Disease Management Headquarters, requests responsible and professional travels and, in order to support tourism operators, to obtain necessary services from the formal and authorized chains of the tourism industry.”

The statement clarified that tourism centers have no restrictions on providing services. The Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts issued an order on the 30th of Esfand to reopen open accommodation camps and nature tourism sites.

Lorestan: Unable to Accept Guests

The Deputy Governor for Political, Security and Social Affairs of Lorestan Province told ILNA that given the serious situation of corona spread in the province, “at the provincial level, we are currently unable to accept guests.”

Mahmoud Samini said Lorestan Province is on alert status, and in recent days five cities—Khorramabad, Borujerd, Dorud, Azna and Chegineh—have faced more severe disease conditions.

According to the Deputy Governor of Lorestan, in a meeting of the provincial headquarters, it was decided that cemeteries be closed, businesses that do not follow health protocols be shut down, and parks and recreational areas in areas facing more severe conditions be sealed off again.

Holding condolence ceremonies and weddings, as well as printing notices that could lead to public gatherings, are also banned.

Samini also said that regarding Lorestan Province’s offices, visitors are required to use masks and gloves; otherwise, they will be prevented from entering.

The Deputy Governor of Lorestan also emphasized that given the new situation in the province, Friday prayers will not be held this week either. This is while last week Friday prayers were held in some cities of Lorestan Province, including Chegineh City, which this week has faced a resurgence of coronavirus.

Regarding Eid al-Fitr holidays, Samini said: “We will have no capacity to welcome tourists. Currently, we have no movement restrictions in the province, and in the five cities facing more severe disease conditions, movement restrictions will be imposed, but currently we are unable to accept guests in the province.”

COVID-19 Outbreak in Mazandaran Remains Serious

According to the Governor of Mazandaran Province, the province has not reached the disease control stage and the disease remains serious.

Ahmad Hossein Zadegan, at a meeting of Mazandaran’s provincial governorship on the first day of Khordad, said that currently about 300 patients with COVID-19 are hospitalized in the province’s hospitals.

According to the Governor of Mazandaran Province, ahead of Eid al-Fitr holidays, statistical reviews have shown that the number of incoming tourists to the province is increasing.

Mazandaran Province also faced a large number of tourists during Nowruz, and this increase led to a rise in COVID-19 cases in the province.

Currently, according to the Governor of Mazandaran, about 15 percent of coronavirus patients in Mazandaran Province are hospitalized.

Two Thousand Three Hundred Ninety-Two New Cases in the Last 24 Hours

Kianosh Jahanpour, spokesman for the Ministry of Health, announced on the first day of Khordad that the latest number of coronavirus cases in Iran is 129,341 people.

In the last 24 hours, 2,392 new patients have been identified.

The death toll from COVID-19 has reached 7,249, and in the past day, 66 people died from COVID-19.

By noon on the first day of Khordad, 2,655 patients are hospitalized in critical condition.

Source: DW