Covid-19: Iran to open mosques in low-risk regions

Iran President, Hassan Rouhani, has announced the decision to reopen the mosques that are situated in the pandemic free and low risk areas.The country’s health ministry has thus divided the country into white, yellow and red areas based on the number of infections and deaths.President Rouhani said in a televised statement on Sunday May 3, 2020, that “Mosques will reopen in 132 low-risk or ‘white’ cities and towns from Monday.”He added that “Friday prayer sermons will resume in those areas as well … However, all these steps will be taken by respecting the health protocols.”He continued saying, “Social distancing is more important than collective prayer.He added that,”Islam considers safety obligatory, while praying in the mosque.”The health ministry said the trajectory of infections has started a gradual downward trend in Iran.Rouhani also said hospital visits over potential infections were much lower compared to recent weeks.Experts and officials both in Iran and abroad have however cast doubts over the country’s officials figures, saying the real number of cases could be much higher than reported.Iran has already lifted a ban on inter-city trips and malls, with large shopping centres resuming activities despite warnings by some health officials of a new wave of infections.School and university closures were maintained, and cultural and sports gatherings are also still banned, though Rouhani said the plan was for some schools to reopen soon.”The schools in the white and low-risk areas will reopen from May 16. However, we will continue to review the situation,” he said.Only high-risk businesses like gyms and barber shops remain closed.”We will continue the reopenings calmly and gradually,” Rouhani said. Yet he warned that Iran should also prepare for “bad scenarios”, saying “this situation may continue into the summer”.