Rouhani Says to Reimpose Restrictions if Health Rules Not Observed

Iran

June 13th, 11:46am

Asharq Al-Awsat

FILE PHOTO: Iranian women wear protective masks to prevent contracting a coronavirus, as they walk at Grand Bazaar in Tehran, Iran February 20, 2020. WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Nazanin Tabatabaee via REUTERS

Iranian President Hasan Rouhani said on Saturday that tight measures will be imposed again to a surge in COVID-19 cases if health regulations are not observed, Iran has seen a sharp rise of new daily infections in recent weeks after it gradually relaxed lockdown since mid-April. Rouhani blamed the surge on travelers spreading the coronavirus to previously low risk provinces. In a televised speech, he warned that while compliance with health protocols was as high as 80% percent a month ago, it is now down to 20%. With 2,410 new cases on Saturday, the total has reached 184,955. With the death of 71 people in the past 24 hours, total fatalities stand at 8,730, the health ministry said, Reuters reported. “If there is no cooperation, we will have to reimpose the restrictions,” Rouhani stressed, adding that adherence to the health protocols were needed “in order to keep businesses open”.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2332356/rouhani-says-reimpose-restrictions-if-health-rules-not-observed