Iran: Authorities impose curfew in Tehran and 30 other cities November 11 /update 41

Event

Iranian authorities have introduced a nightly curfew from 18:00 (local time) in Tehran and 30 provincial capitals from Wednesday, November 11, as part of efforts to control the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). During curfew hours, only essential businesses can operate, including supermarkets and bakeries. The restrictions are due to last until at least December 10.

In Tehran province, authorities have already limited capacity at government workplaces to 50 percent through until November 20. Educational institutions, places of worship, libraries, museums, theatres, gyms, cafes, zoos, swimming pools, and hair salons remain closed. Social gatherings, including weddings, funeral wakes, and Friday prayers, are prohibited and the wearing of face masks is mandatory in public. Similar measures are in place across other parts of the country, although restrictions can vary from province-to-province depending on the COVID-19 infection rate.

As of Wednesday, November 11, there have been 703,288 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Iran with 39,202 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.