15 Mar 2021 | 05:20 AM UTC
Iran: Authorities ban flights from Iraq through March 21 /update 34
Authorities in Iran ban flights from Iraq through at least March 21. Other measures remain in place.
Event
The Iranian Civil Aviation Organization has banned all flights from Iraq through at least March 21 to curb the spread of COVID-19. Land border crossings with Iraq including the Mehran border crossing in Ilam Province, as well as all crossings in Kermanshah, Khuzestan, and West Azerbaijan provinces, remain closed. The land border closures apply to individuals but not commercial traffic. In the rest of the country, the nightly 21:00-03:00 traffic ban remains in place in all cities nationwide.
The Ministry of Health has divided the country into blue, yellow, orange, and red zones depending on the COVID-19 fatality rate and extent of the outbreak, with blue being the lowest threat. Authorities continue to ban travel in and out of cities designated as red and orange. In orange and yellow cities, most shopping malls are open, and employees in government workplaces can operate with reduced capacity. Educational institutions and places of worship, however, remain closed. As of March 14, there are 11 red cities, 31 orange cities, 252 yellow cities, and 154 blue cities.
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, 2020, 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.
Additionally, travelers from Europe will be tested again upon arrival and have to quarantine for 14 days even if they have 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.
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.
