Iran has been gradually relaxing its lockdown since mid-April, but has recently reported a sharp rise in the infection rate. “We must ban ceremonies and gatherings all over the country, whether it be wakes, weddings or parties,” Rouhani said. Rouhani and other officials have blamed the rise in infections partly on wedding parties, wakes and other public gatherings. An advisor to Iran’s Coronavirus Task Force warned that if appropriate measures were not taken, between 50,000 and 60,000 people could die from the pandemic. While struggling to curb the spread of COVID-19, Iranian authorities are concerned that tougher measures could wreck an economy already reeling under US sanctions.

Source: bd News24 July 11, 2020 11:03 UTC