Iran: Unvaccinated People to Face Travel Restrictions

EghtesadOnline: As of Nov. 22, only vaccinated people or those carrying negative PCR test result will be permitted to travel, according to the head of Transport Safety Regulation Codification and Passive Defense Center, affiliated with the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development.

News ID: ۷۸۷۲۷۹

09 November 2021

“A system called ‘Omid’ will soon come on stream through which all passengers will be monitored and unless they have been vaccinated or carry negative PCR test result, they will not be allowed to travel using public transportation,” Reza Nafisi was also quoted as saying by the news portal of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture.

The official noted that the Omid system will provide access to information on whether a passenger has the Covid-19 or has symptoms of being infected, which will help break the contagion cycle more effectively.

The new regulation applies to the twice vaccinated as well as those who have only received their first dose for the time being, provided the date for the second dose of vaccination has not passed.

Nafisi noted that in the near future, regulations will become stricter, meaning that only people who have received two doses of vaccine will be allowed to travel.

The Health Ministry has issued a directive relaxing restrictions on passenger transportation over Covid-19 as of Nov. 22.

As per the directive, airplanes will be allowed to utilize 100% of their passenger capacity, up from 60% in the wake of the pandemic.

This is while passenger ships, buses and trains will be allowed to use 80% of their capacities.

“After 80% of the population are vaccinated, marine, rail and road transportation can also be operated at full capacity,” reads the directive as reported by Mehr News Agency.

Shahram Adamnejad, deputy minister of roads and urban development, communicated the related directive to the Civil Aviation Organization, Ports and Maritime Organization and Iran Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization.

For domestic flights, passengers need to carry either their vaccination card or a negative PRC test result (taken within 72 hours before takeoff). For international flights, passengers need both of these documents with a negative PCR test taken within 96 hours before takeoff.

For road travel, there is a need for either a negative PCR test taken within two hours before departure or a vaccination card.

To be able to travel domestically on a vessel, passengers need either a vaccination card or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure. For international marine journeys, passengers are required to have both their vaccination card and a negative PCR test taken within 96 hours before departure.

Passengers traveling by train also need to have vaccination cards as well as their negative PCR test results (taken within 72 hours before departure).

The directive mandates social distancing during boarding and disembarking, and preventing queues.

Iranian passengers who plan to fly abroad are advised to apply for a digital vaccination card issued by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, according to an official with the ministry.

“The only valid certificate of Covid-19 vaccination in Iran is the digital card issued in Salamat.gov.ir by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education,” Ali Sharifi Zarchi was also quoted as saying by IRNA.

Passengers are advised to apply for a digital vaccine card at least two weeks before their departure by visiting the Salamat.gov.ir website.