TEHRAN -- President Ebrahim Raisi said Saturday he has temporarily suspended his regular provincial tours as the contagious strain of the coronavirus known as omicron is spreading across the country.
Speaking at a meeting of the Coronavirus Fight National Headquarters, Raisi said his provincial visits will be canceled temporarily in accordance with the health protocols aimed at tackling the coronavirus.
He called for strict compliance with health protocols given the new wave of the pandemic caused by the omicron variant.
The president also stressed the need for all citizens to receive the third dose of the coronavirus vaccine.
On Thursday, Iranian Health Minister Bahram Einollahi declared the start of a new wave of the coronavirus pandemic in the country as hospitals report a rise in the number of infections related to the omicron variant.