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Coronavirus: How is Iran responding to the outbreak? | Coronavirus: How is Iran responding to the outbreak? |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Iran has a growing number of coronavirus cases and there is concern about how the government is responding. | Iran has a growing number of coronavirus cases and there is concern about how the government is responding. |
The country's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has said it won't impact the country for long, and will disappear. | |
With the help of our colleagues in BBC Persian, we've been trying to piece together what is happening in Iran. | With the help of our colleagues in BBC Persian, we've been trying to piece together what is happening in Iran. |
What action is being taken? | |
Iran has recorded the highest number of deaths outside China and a growing number of cases, but the true number is expected to be much higher. | Iran has recorded the highest number of deaths outside China and a growing number of cases, but the true number is expected to be much higher. |
A World Health Organization (WHO) team has arrived in Iran to provide support. | |
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said there are no plans to quarantine entire cities and towns. | Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said there are no plans to quarantine entire cities and towns. |
In Qom, the holy city at the centre of the outbreak, religious shrines are still open. | In Qom, the holy city at the centre of the outbreak, religious shrines are still open. |
The most revered, the Hazrat Masumeh shrine, is visited by millions of Shia Muslim pilgrims every year from all over the world. | The most revered, the Hazrat Masumeh shrine, is visited by millions of Shia Muslim pilgrims every year from all over the world. |
Some restrictions are now in place. Visits are only allowed once people had been given hand-sanitising gels, health information and face masks. | |
People have been advised to avoid unnecessary gatherings, and asked not to travel to Qom, but there is no outright closure of religious sites in the city. | People have been advised to avoid unnecessary gatherings, and asked not to travel to Qom, but there is no outright closure of religious sites in the city. |
The custodian of the Hazrat Masumeh shrine has said that people see it as a source of recovery and healing so it cannot be shut down. | The custodian of the Hazrat Masumeh shrine has said that people see it as a source of recovery and healing so it cannot be shut down. |
"Shutting the shrines would be a huge step for the clerics and not one that they would be likely to take unless they come under international pressure," says Rana Rahimpour, of BBC Persian. | "Shutting the shrines would be a huge step for the clerics and not one that they would be likely to take unless they come under international pressure," says Rana Rahimpour, of BBC Persian. |
Police in Tehran have banned the use of shisha water pipes in coffee shops and tea houses. These are often smoked communally and passed from person to person. | |
In affected provinces schools and universities have been closed and Friday prayers in Tehran and several other cities were cancelled. Sports matches, gallery openings and film premieres were also called off. | In affected provinces schools and universities have been closed and Friday prayers in Tehran and several other cities were cancelled. Sports matches, gallery openings and film premieres were also called off. |
Does Iran have enough medical equipment? | Does Iran have enough medical equipment? |
The WHO is supplying Iran with diagnostic kits and protective equipment for healthcare workers. | The WHO is supplying Iran with diagnostic kits and protective equipment for healthcare workers. |
It says it is sending 7.5 tonnes of medical supplies to support 15,000 healthcare workers and 1,000 screening kits capable of screening nearly 100,000 people. | |
The health authorities have announced that 300,000 teams will be doing door-to-door testing. | The health authorities have announced that 300,000 teams will be doing door-to-door testing. |
But many Iranians are worried about a lack of equipment. | But many Iranians are worried about a lack of equipment. |
An Iranian medical importer has said he is unable to purchase testing kits due to US-imposed sanctions, according to local reports. | An Iranian medical importer has said he is unable to purchase testing kits due to US-imposed sanctions, according to local reports. |
"Many international companies are ready to supply Iran with coronavirus test kits, but we can't send them money," said Ramin Fallah, a board member of Iran's Association of Medical Equipment Importers was quoted as saying by the Ilna news agency. | "Many international companies are ready to supply Iran with coronavirus test kits, but we can't send them money," said Ramin Fallah, a board member of Iran's Association of Medical Equipment Importers was quoted as saying by the Ilna news agency. |
The US has denied that its sanctions are restricting Iran's ability to import medical supplies, pointing to an exemption for humanitarian goods. | The US has denied that its sanctions are restricting Iran's ability to import medical supplies, pointing to an exemption for humanitarian goods. |
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said the US would offer humanitarian assistance to Iran to help cope with the virus. | Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said the US would offer humanitarian assistance to Iran to help cope with the virus. |
But Iran says companies find it difficult to process payments with banks unwilling to risk breaking US rules and risk sanctions themselves. | But Iran says companies find it difficult to process payments with banks unwilling to risk breaking US rules and risk sanctions themselves. |
What about face masks? | What about face masks? |
As in other countries with outbreaks, Iranians have been queuing up at pharmacies to purchase medical masks as well as disinfectant gels and sprays. | As in other countries with outbreaks, Iranians have been queuing up at pharmacies to purchase medical masks as well as disinfectant gels and sprays. |
Prices of these products, where they're available at all, have gone up by as much as 10 times. | Prices of these products, where they're available at all, have gone up by as much as 10 times. |
Some on social media have claimed the reason behind the lack of availability of masks is due to the fact that millions were donated to China a few weeks ago. | Some on social media have claimed the reason behind the lack of availability of masks is due to the fact that millions were donated to China a few weeks ago. |
According to the Irna news agency, Iran donated three million face masks to China "as sign of long-term and traditional friendship between two countries". | According to the Irna news agency, Iran donated three million face masks to China "as sign of long-term and traditional friendship between two countries". |
Local reports also suggest Chinese companies have been purchasing huge quantities of masks from Iran creating a shortage in the domestic market. | Local reports also suggest Chinese companies have been purchasing huge quantities of masks from Iran creating a shortage in the domestic market. |
The Iranian government has now said it has banned the export of face masks for three months and ordered factories to ramp up production. | The Iranian government has now said it has banned the export of face masks for three months and ordered factories to ramp up production. |
Arrests for 'spreading rumours' | Arrests for 'spreading rumours' |
Iranian police have arrested 24 people accused of spreading rumours about the coronavirus online, AFP news agency reports. | Iranian police have arrested 24 people accused of spreading rumours about the coronavirus online, AFP news agency reports. |
A further 118 internet users were "talked to and let go" with warnings, the head of Iran's cyberpolice force Vahid Majid said. | A further 118 internet users were "talked to and let go" with warnings, the head of Iran's cyberpolice force Vahid Majid said. |
More on the coronavirus outbreak | More on the coronavirus outbreak |
Are people leaving the country? | Are people leaving the country? |
Iran has not banned foreign travel, but neighbouring countries including Turkey, Pakistan and Iraq have closed their borders. | Iran has not banned foreign travel, but neighbouring countries including Turkey, Pakistan and Iraq have closed their borders. |
Turkey and United Arab Emirates have suspended flights from Iran. | Turkey and United Arab Emirates have suspended flights from Iran. |
These are important destinations for non-oil exports and Iran's economy could suffer as a result. | These are important destinations for non-oil exports and Iran's economy could suffer as a result. |
The Iranian government said flights to China were suspended on 2 February, but flight records suggest there have been at least nine flights between Iran and China since then. | |
This piece has been updated to reflect the latest fatalities and cases. | This piece has been updated to reflect the latest fatalities and cases. |
Read more from Reality Check | Read more from Reality Check |
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