TEHRAN (Iran News) – President Hassan Rouhani announced on Sunday that an intercity travel ban within each province, imposed to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, has been lifted.
Speaking at a meeting of the National Headquarters for Managing and Fighting the Coronavirus, Rouhani added that restrictions on travel between provinces in place since last month would be lifted on April 20.
But he repeated calls on Iranians to limit movements outside to “necessary” tasks and remain vigilant, as it remains difficult to “comment on the future” of Iran’s battle with the virus.
Rouhani said religious gatherings would probably be canceled during the fasting month of Ramadan due to the outbreak, the headquarters would decide on the issue in its upcoming meeting.
“During the holy month of Ramadan, people usually hold various events at mosques … reciting the Qur’an and praying. The final decision on this issue will be made in the next meeting,” he said.
Ramadan will begin in late this month and last through most of May, with Muslims fasting from dawn until dusk.
Rouhani said also said Iran has been fighting US sanctions and the new coronavirus simultaneously but has handled the issue better than Europe and the United States.
“We had a sanctions virus, to which the coronavirus was added, but you did not have the sanctions virus. You have one virus while we have two viruses,” he said, addressing Europe and the United States.
“We did better than you in the fight against the coronavirus,” Rouhani added.
The president said in fighting the virus, the Iranian people resisted well and helped each other.
“This is an honor for all, for all our loved ones and people. Yes, our situation is relatively good in the fight against the disease and the dangerous virus, and our situation is better in comparison with some countries.”
Iran announced its first coronavirus cases on February 19. US sanctions have hampered the virus fight in Iran.
- source : Iran Daily, Irannews
