Iran could reimpose restrictions as Covid-19 deaths rise againJune 16, 2020 - 15:08 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran warned Monday, June 15 it may have to reimpose tough measures against the novel coronavirus to ensure social distancing, as it reported more than 100 deaths for a second straight day, AFP reports. Health ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said 113 new fatalities took to 8,950 the total number of Covid-19 deaths since the country's outbreak began in February. She also said another 2,449 people had tested positive for the virus in the past 24 hours, taking the Islamic republic's overall caseload to 189,876. Iran's government shut schools, postponed major public events and barred inter-city travel to stop the virus's spread in March before gradually easing restrictions from April. Official figures have shown a rising trajectory in new confirmed cases since early May, when Iran hit a near two-month low in daily recorded infections. Government spokesman Ali Rabiei on Monday bemoaned the lack of social distancing among people at holy sites and on public transport. "In the (Tehran) subway, although 90 percent of passengers use masks, social distancing is not being observed," he told a news conference. "In some provinces, we have reached the peak of the disease, but that does not mean a new peak. "The gradient of the death toll is still not sharp", with a slight decline in Tehran, but increase in some other provinces, Rabiei said. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |