Call for Firm Decisions, Collective Measures to Tackle Coronavirus

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Saturday that firm decisions, public persuasion and cooperation among decision-makers are prerequisites for the proper management of the coronavirus outbreak.
“When the Health Ministry determines the restrictions, all authorities must comply without [prioritizing] other considerations. Public health is the principle and priority guiding all decisions,” he said.
Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks during a face-to-face meeting with President Hassan Rouhani and members of the National Coronavirus Taskforce held due to the catastrophic surge in Covid-19 cases over the past month.
The Leader also called for strict implementation of restrictions in transport systems and public places, as well as limiting non-essential inter-city travel and handing out fines to violators of coronavirus regulations.
Loose implementation of safety guidelines, especially those pertaining to inter-city travel and fines for those who refuse to wear facemasks, has led to a public outcry as a third wave of infections overwhelms Iran’s healthcare system.
The daily tally of coronavirus infections in Iran set a new record for the fourth time in the past six days with cases jumping to over 6,000. 
According to Health Ministry’s Spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari, 6,191 patients tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday, the second day infections rose above the 6,000 mark.
“The total number of Covid-19 cases reached 568,896,” she added.
The daily number of coronavirus infections worldwide also rose to an all-time high of 465,000 on Sunday.

Shutdowns  

Starting Monday, only essential workplaces related to the everyday life of the public, such as supermarkets, drugstores, bakeries and emergency rooms, will be allowed to open in cities on red alert.
For a one-week period, Tehran and 42 other red counties will see the closure of most places of business to contain a surging third wave of infections across the country.
While universities, mosques, beauty parlors and gyms were shut over the past month, the persisting upward trend of cases and deaths convinced authorities to also close any outlet that does not offer essential services.
To reduce movements in the capital Tehran and its overcrowded public transport system, half of the city’s government employees will work from home until Nov. 20.
Starting Monday, only 50% of employees are allowed in the workplace and the remaining will telecommute. 
Lari said the daily death count fell to 296 on Sunday, against 335 the day before, which took the total number to over 32,610. 
Data compiled by the Health Ministry show that over the past 10 days, 213 were infected with the deadly virus every hour and 13 died. 
Among 192 counties in Iran on red alert, 43 are facing extremely critical conditions.
Iran has administered 4.71 million diagnostic tests since the start of the pandemic, Lari said, adding that 455,000 have recovered from the viral infection and some 4,970 are under critical care. 
Global coronavirus cases crossed 43 million on Sunday and the death toll rose to 1.15 million.