Iran’s National Coronavirus Taskforce shut down non-essential businesses in 43 counties with extremely high Covid-19 transmission rates for one week to slow the spread of a third wave of infections.
Despite the country’s policy to keep places of business open while adhering to health protocols, the new surge in coronavirus cases, which have filled hospitals to capacity, prompted officials to close any business that is not considered crucial until the end of the week.
The new lockdown resumed on Monday and will be extended beyond one week if necessary, according to the Health Ministry.
The 43 counties, excluding Tehran, have been subject to strict restrictive measures that include a ban on category two, three and four jobs, or any non-essential business.
While category three and four business places include beauty salons, gyms, wedding halls, coffee shops and anything involving public gatherings, category two jobs affect significantly more people.
Toy stores, furniture stores, shopping centers, candy stores, ice cream shops, real-estate agencies, tailor shops, ateliers, fabric stores, cosmetic stores and stationery stores are among a long list of non-essential businesses closed for the week.
Although Tehran County is seeing disastrously high number of cases and deaths, the stringent measures will not be implemented in the overcrowded region.