Iran Announces Travel Ban on Chinese Citizens amid Coronavirus Outbreak
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A senior official at Iran’s International Imam Khomeini Airport said that at the behest of Iranian Immigration and Passport Police Office, the Chinese citizens have been banned from entering the Islamic Republic.
Ali Kashani said as soon as the Health Ministry confirmed the coronavirus outbreak in Iran, Imam Khomeini Airport City Company established a task force on the fight against coronavirus in the company with law enforcement agencies stationed in the airport.
Currently, all travelers are monitored upon their arrival through using infrared thermometers, he said, adding that if any coronavirus symptoms are seen in foreign travelers, they will be prevented from entering the country.
The official went on to say that that at the behest of Iranian Immigration and Passport Police Office, all Chinese citizens have been subject to travel bans.
The remarks came as the Iranian Health Ministry’s public relations director said that so far, 34 people have lost their lives due to the new coronavirus (COVID-19).
“By noon today, the number of people with coronavirus disease has reached 388, of whom 34 have died,” Kianoush Jahanpour said on Friday.
He further emphasized that the average age of the people infected with the virus is more than 53, adding that the average age of those who have passed away is over 60.
The health official went on to say that over the past days, 73 of the patients have recovered from the disease.
Medical staff in 20 provinces of Iran have been working tirelessly over the past week to contain the novel coronavirus that has originated from China.