Iran Widens Virus Screening, Extends Furloughs
TEHRAN (Dispatches) -- Iran has extended furloughs for prisoners for another month, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday, as the Islamic Republic endeavors to stem the spread of the new coronavirus.
Iran’s temporary release of 100,000 prisoners since February was welcomed by the United Nations on Friday as a good step.
"Furloughs of those prisoners, who pose no threat to the society, have been extended until May 20,” Rouhani said in a televised cabinet meeting.
The president said Iran has begun taking new measures to screen people for COVID-19 symptoms. The procedure involves testing those close to patients with the respiratory disease, he added.
"With the beginning of new screening methods in the provinces, people close to those infected with the coronavirus will also be tested,” he said. "This important step brings us closer to containing the disease.”
"With the new measures, both the screening and the identification of the infected in critical condition will continue,” he added, hoping that in the coming weeks a framework would be reached to shorten the disease period.
He also thanked Iran’s medical personnel for their round-the-clock screening of patients at different hospitals, expressing satisfaction with a drop in the number of hospitalized and infected cases as well as the fatalities.
Rouhani said all countries are dealing with the coronavirus which has affected the world’s politics and economy, but the virus "has been and is more difficult for our people”.
"One of the reasons is sanctions. Many countries are not under the sanctions condition while we have for two years been subjected to harsh sanctions,” he said.
Another reason that makes the situation more difficult for the Islamic Republic is the coincidence of the coronavirus outbreak in Iran with the Iranian New Year also known as Nowruz, during which families visit each other, the president said.
The third reason, which affects all Muslims, is the upcoming holy fasting month of Ramadan, he added.
Rouhani said mosques and holy sites in Iran would remain closed until at least May 4, as the country tries to contain the outbreak.
Iran allowed so-called low-risk businesses - including many shops, factories and workshops - to resume operations in Tehran on Saturday, a week after re-opening in the rest of the country.
"Mosques and religious centers will remain closed for the next two weeks ... Decisions on gatherings during the (Muslim holy month of) Ramadan will be taken next week,” Rouhani said.
Schools and universities remain closed, and a ban on cultural, religious and sports gatherings has been imposed.
Rouhani said high-risk businesses - including theatres, gyms, saunas, beauty salons, and shopping centers - would remain closed "until further notice”.
Iran’s death toll from the new coronavirus has risen by 87 to 5,118, Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said in a statement on state TV on Sunday.
The total number of infected cases in the Islamic Republic has reached 82,211, he said, adding 57,023 patients have recovered and discharged from hospital.
Iran’s temporary release of 100,000 prisoners since February was welcomed by the United Nations on Friday as a good step.
"Furloughs of those prisoners, who pose no threat to the society, have been extended until May 20,” Rouhani said in a televised cabinet meeting.
The president said Iran has begun taking new measures to screen people for COVID-19 symptoms. The procedure involves testing those close to patients with the respiratory disease, he added.
"With the beginning of new screening methods in the provinces, people close to those infected with the coronavirus will also be tested,” he said. "This important step brings us closer to containing the disease.”
"With the new measures, both the screening and the identification of the infected in critical condition will continue,” he added, hoping that in the coming weeks a framework would be reached to shorten the disease period.
He also thanked Iran’s medical personnel for their round-the-clock screening of patients at different hospitals, expressing satisfaction with a drop in the number of hospitalized and infected cases as well as the fatalities.
Rouhani said all countries are dealing with the coronavirus which has affected the world’s politics and economy, but the virus "has been and is more difficult for our people”.
"One of the reasons is sanctions. Many countries are not under the sanctions condition while we have for two years been subjected to harsh sanctions,” he said.
Another reason that makes the situation more difficult for the Islamic Republic is the coincidence of the coronavirus outbreak in Iran with the Iranian New Year also known as Nowruz, during which families visit each other, the president said.
The third reason, which affects all Muslims, is the upcoming holy fasting month of Ramadan, he added.
Rouhani said mosques and holy sites in Iran would remain closed until at least May 4, as the country tries to contain the outbreak.
Iran allowed so-called low-risk businesses - including many shops, factories and workshops - to resume operations in Tehran on Saturday, a week after re-opening in the rest of the country.
"Mosques and religious centers will remain closed for the next two weeks ... Decisions on gatherings during the (Muslim holy month of) Ramadan will be taken next week,” Rouhani said.
Schools and universities remain closed, and a ban on cultural, religious and sports gatherings has been imposed.
Rouhani said high-risk businesses - including theatres, gyms, saunas, beauty salons, and shopping centers - would remain closed "until further notice”.
Iran’s death toll from the new coronavirus has risen by 87 to 5,118, Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said in a statement on state TV on Sunday.
The total number of infected cases in the Islamic Republic has reached 82,211, he said, adding 57,023 patients have recovered and discharged from hospital.