Iran to Lock Down Persian Gulf Trade Hub After Virus Surge

(Bloomberg) -- Iran will reintroduce lockdown measures on one of its busiest port cities on the Persian Gulf following a surge in coronavirus cases.

Bandar Abbas, the capital of Hormuzgan province and a major trade hub on the Strait of Hormuz, is one of seven cities that will be shut down for one week from Friday, Fereydoun Hemmati, the provincial governor, told reporters, the semi-official Iranian Students' News Agency reported. Restrictions will also be reimposed on the islands of Kish and Qeshm, which are major tourist attractions, Hemmati said.

The lockdowns will involve the closure of all schools, universities, most offices, cinemas, restaurants, public pools, gyms and parks. Hemmati didn't give any figures for coronavirus cases or fatalities in Hormuzgan province.

Iran Reports Record Number of Daily Coronavirus Deaths

Iran, the epicenter of the coronavirus in the Middle East, has seen cases soar since it eased restrictions on businesses and public life in April in an effort to keep its sanctions-hit economy afloat. So far, some 230,211 people have been infected with the virus and 10,958 have died, Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said Wednesday on state TV.

Other lockdowns may be in the works.

Officials in the capital, Tehran, are discussing whether to bring back restrictions after a significant rise in hospital admissions, Lari said. Eight other provinces are authorized to reintroduce lockdowns and seven more are on “high alert” and prepared to renew restrictions if ordered to do so, she added.

Officials have blamed the increase on people flouting social distancing rules and government guidelines, especially at weddings and funerals.

On Sunday, President Hassan Rouhani said wearing face masks in enclosed public spaces will be made mandatory across the country from July 5.

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