Iran to fine infringement of coronavirus measures

Iran’s coronavirus crisis unit on Tuesday said it would introducte fines for infringements of coronavirus measures such as wearing of face masks, the authorities announced on Tuesday.

“It is unacceptable that some people still refuse to wear a mask in spite rising infection numbers, putting their fellow citizens at risk,” Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi said.

He said that the ministry was fully in support of the crisis unit’s plan to sanction defaulters.

Iran’s COVID-19 infection numbers and fatalities had risen drastically, with President Hassan Rowhani talking about a second wave of infections.

“Since the end of July, around 200 people have died from the coronavirus per day, due to the high number of new infections.

“Around 2,700 new cases were reported on Tuesday,“Harirchi said.

Meanwhile, the Iranian medical association has also warned of staff shortages.

Overall, there have been a total of 314,786 cases and 17,617 deaths related to Covid-19.

The ministry estimated that the rising numbers were due to the easing of restrictions, which led to people not taking the health measures or the pandemic seriously any more.

There have also been disagreements within the Iranian Government regarding August’s Ashura festival, which routinely draws huge crowds.

While clerics and Rowhani insist the festival will take place, experts said new infections would be unavoidable if the celebrations went ahead as usual.

However, as cancellation seemed unlikely, social distancing rules and mandatory mask wearing are to be enforced at the religious ceremony marking the death of Hussein, the third Shiite Imam.