11 May 2021 | 02:08 AM UTC
Iran: Authorities to ban passenger traffic between cities May 11-15 /update 39
Authorities in Iran to ban passenger traffic between cities 14:00 May 11-12:00 May 15. Other restrictions remain in place.
Event
Iranian authorities wll ban all passenger traffic between cities 14:00 May 11-12:00 May 15 to curb the spread of COVID-19 during the Eid Al-Fitr holiday. The restriction applies to all cities nationwide regardless of the city's risk status.
Domestic measures
Facemasks are mandatory in enclosed public spaces and on public transportation. In Tehran, facemasks are compulsory in public areas.
Authorities in Iran use a four-tier, color-coded system for tracking COVID-19 activity by individual localities and assigning restrictions accordingly. Officials may designate cities as blue, yellow, orange, or red zones in increasing order of virus transmission threat. As of May 11, 46 cities are at the red level following a surge in cases. In red cities, only essential services such as food providers and medical centers are allowed to open. Travel into and out of these cities is banned. In cities at the yellow and orange levels, most shopping malls can open, and government offices may operate at reduced capacity. Educational institutions and places of worship, however, remain closed.
A nightly 21:00-04:00 traffic ban remains in place nationwide.
International travel
International flights remain operational but limited. Authorities are not issuing tourist visas.
All flights with India, Pakistan, and other high-risk countries are suspended until further notice.
All travelers to Iran must submit a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within 96 hours before boarding.
Citizens who have not taken the test are required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival at a government-designated site at their own expense.
Authorities will deny entry to foreign nationals arriving without a negative COVID-19 test.
Restrictions are in place for travel to and from Iraq via land border crossings; commercial transport is exempt.
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
Liaise with trusted local contacts for further information on travel area-specific restrictions. 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.
