COVID-19 Restrictions Yield Results, No High-Risk City in Iran: President
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The new round of nationwide restrictions to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic has borne fruits as none of the cities across Iran are currently categorized as red zones, the president said Saturday.
Speaking at a meeting of the Coronavirus Fight National Headquarters, President Hassan Rouhani said statistics show that enforcement of restrictions, good cooperation from people, and compliance with the health protocols have yielded results.
No city in Iran has been categorized as a red zone with high risk of coronavirus infection in recent days, he added.
However, the president said, the status quo is not stable, as disregard for the health regulations could result in a new wave of coronavirus.
Rouhani also advised the Iranian people to keep avoiding gatherings, observe the health protocols and social distancing, and celebrate the Yalda Night via online platforms to break the chain of transmission of the coronavirus.
Yalda is one of the most celebrated traditional events in Iran. It marks the longest night of the year.
Iran is among the few countries in the world experiencing a positive economic growth rate under the coronavirus pandemic, the president further said, adding that the growing trend is expected to continue in the remaining months of the current Iranian calendar year (ends on March 20, 2021).
Last week, Governor of the Central Bank of Iran Abdolnaser Hemmati said the GDP growth rate in Iran has become positive both with and without petrodollars.
Iran’s economic growth excluding the oil income in the first half of the current Iranian year has increased by +1.4 percent compared to the corresponding period last year, while the economic growth with oil has risen by +1.3 percent compared with the 6-month period a year earlier, he said.