Relatives of a Coronavirus victim mourn at the gate of a cemetery near Babol, northern Iran, April 30, 2020 (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP)
As Iran’s Government lifts social distancing restrictions, the country’s Coronavirus cases are edging upwards.
After more than two weeks of decline, the official number of new cases has risen in each of the past three days.
Tuesday’s Health Ministry figure was 1,323, compared to 1,223 on Monday, 976 on Sunday, and 802 on Saturday. The total of confirmed cases is 99,970.
The official death toll is 6,340, with an increase of 65 in 24 hours.
The Rouhani Government authorized the re-opening of “low-risk” businesses, such as bookstores and clothing shops, across most of Iran on April 11. Re-opening in the capital Tehran followed a week later.
On Monday, worshippers were allowed to return to mosques and shrines in 132 cities.
The Government has divided the country into white, yellow, and red zones to determine the pace and location of further lifting of restrictions.
See also Iran Daily, May 3: Coronavirus — Mosques Reopened in 132 Cities
State outlet Press TV proclaims today:
About half of the 31 provinces in Iran have begun to reopen their economies and public life in some meaningful way….
Some restaurants are getting ready to serve customers too. When broad re-openings are allowed in the capital, public spaces such as restaurants, retail stores, salons, gyms and houses of worship will also reopen.
But in an admission of risk, the site notes, “Health experts have expressed concern that a premature opening could lead to a spike in coronavirus infections that would not be detected in official case counts for weeks.”
Mohammad Mehdi Gouya, director of the Health Ministry’s communicable diseases department, cautioned that only 10% of the population has been infected, leaving 90% vulnerable.
“If people do not observe health protocols, the disease will certainly return,” he said. “We must not think it’s over and leave home and make social visits as we please.”
“The Government has divided the country into white, yellow, and red zones”
That sums up the mullahs action plan. Maybe arrest some teenagers too for bogus charges, put some bahais in jail, zip around in boats in persian golf…maybe khamenei utter. some BS in gathering of thieves….what else this nation wants? This is mullah governance.