Call for Proposals to Impose Penalties Amid Pandemic

EghtesadOnline: President Hassan Rouhani on Thursday called on committees within the National Coronavirus Taskforce to put forward their proposals on stricter supervision of Covid-19 regulations and imposition of fines for Saturday’s meeting of the taskforce.

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03 October 2020

Rouhani underlined the necessity of close supervision of mitigation guidelines as well as the introduction of fines on those who flout restrictions during Thursday’s taskforce session, his website reported.

“The type of penalties introduced in offices, private business places and public spaces has been determined in proportion to the extent of violation,” he said.

Pointing to the rise sharp in coronavirus cases across Tehran Province, the top official stressed the need for rigorous monitoring of safety guidelines as a third wave is sweeping across the country’s most populated cities.

If the proposal, submitted by two of the taskforce’s committees, is approved, it will be implemented within four or five days in the capital. If successful, the pilot program will be extended to other large cities with high numbers of Covid-19 infections.

Over the past week, several officials with the Health Ministry have mentioned the hefty fines imposed by several countries and asked for the introduction of similar measures in Iran.

Rouhani concluded that disregard for safety guidelines has compelled authorities to penalize those who breach the health regulations.

“With the concurrence of coronavirus and influenza epidemics in the next few months, we will encounter dangers that increase the necessity of fines,” he added.

Sima Sadat Lari, the spokeswoman of Health Ministry, also expressed concern over the concurrence of the two epidemics and asked the public to strictly observe guidelines.

The health official, however, mentioned the successful experience of the southern hemisphere in containing influenza through adherence to guidelines devised to curb coronavirus transmission, including wearing facemasks, social distancing and washing hands frequently.

The next few months will determine the effectiveness of facemasks in indoor places filled with people shielding from the cold.

New Record

On Thursday, Iran registered a record high of 3,825 new cases of the novel coronavirus, setting another daily record in 10 days, Lari, was quoted as saying by ISNA.

The Health Ministry reported another 3,552 patients on Friday, taking the national total to 464,596, Lari said.

“Within 24 hours, 187 more patients lost their lives, bringing the death toll to 26,567.”

According to the health official, 26 of Iran’s 31 provinces are on red alert and four are in an alarming state.

Iran’s laboratories have administered 4.06 million diagnostic tests in the past seven months. Over 385,000 have recovered from the infectious disease and 4,137 are in critical condition.

Global coronavirus cases surged past 34.5 million on Friday and deaths crossed 1.02 million.