Iran’s government is considering plans to tighten restrictions across the country to slow the spread of the coronavirus, as a third wave of infections challenges its healthcare system.
The number of newly-identified coronavirus cases continue to climb in Iran, with the Health Ministry registering a record high of 12,543 daily infections on Sunday.
“The fresh cases took the national total to over 762,000,” the spokeswoman of Health Ministry, Sima Sadat Lari, was quoted as saying by ISNA.
“Over the past 24 hours, 459 Covid-19 patients lost their lives and the death toll reached 41,493,” she added.
According to Lari, “Only four of Iran’s 31 provinces are not on red alert.”
Iranian government issued a night curfew on nonessential businesses in areas hit hardest by the coronavirus last week.
Starting Saturday, November 21, regions on alert Level 3, or red, will only require the presence of one-third of government employees, all non-essential occupations will close, and local residents will be banned from leaving the county.
Health Minister Saeed Namaki commented on the new measures on Sunday by saying, “Although Nov. 21 is late, it can help us handle this emergency situation. The full implementation of belated restrictions is preferred to poorly executed half-measures.”
The minister’s request to expedite the enforcement of restrictive measures has been denied by the National Coronavirus Taskforce.
Tehran’s City Council, among other authorities, had called for a complete shutdown of the capital to slow the spread of the disease.