Iran: Authorities suspend flights with the UK for two weeks starting Dec. 20 due to new COVID-19 strain /update 28

Event

Iranian authorities announced Dec. 20 the suspension of flights between Iran and the UK for two weeks due to concerns regarding the spread of a newly discovered coronavirus disease (COVID-19) strain.

The Ministry of Health has divided the country into white, yellow, and red zones depending on the COVID-19 fatality rate and extent of the outbreak, with white being the lowest threat. Zones with more than 10 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population are categorized as red, while white zones have four or less.

Authorities downgraded Tehran's classification to 'orange' Dec. 5, allowing shopping malls and markets to reopen. Government workplaces can operate with up to 50 percent employees' capacity. Educational institutions and places of worship, however, remain closed.

Authorities continue to impose heightened COVID-19 restrictions on high-risk 'red' cities, denoted as areas with high infection rates, to curb the spread of the disease. All intercity travel and traffic within these areas from 2100-0400 is banned. Only essential jobs and businesses such as emergency services, service and security centers, supermarkets, and bakeries can continue to operate. All educational institutions and places of worship will be closed. Authorities will limit official gatherings to 15 people with social-distancing measures in place. Authorities will also limit employees' capacity at government workplaces to one-third.

Travel Restrictions

• The passenger capacity of domestic airlines is limited to 60 percent per safe-distancing guidelines.

• International flights remain operational; however, authorities have halted issuing tourist visas since Aug. 1, effectively banning all leisure travel to the country. Travelers to Iran - both citizens and foreign nationals - must submit a negative COVID-19 test taken within the previous 96 hours before boarding. Citizens who have not taken the test will have to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival at a government-designated site at their own cost. Authorities will deny entry to foreign nationals arriving without a negative COVID-19 test.

Iranian authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Context

The measures taken by Iran correspond with similar actions taken by other governments globally in response to the spread of COVID-19, a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV). Symptoms occur 1-14 days following exposure (average of 3-7 days). These symptoms include fever, fatigue, cough, difficulty breathing, sometimes worsening to pneumonia and kidney failure - especially in those with underlying medical conditions. On March 11, the WHO declared the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all business appointments and travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments. Plan for queues and delays at available shopping centers.

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)