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By APD writer Muhammad Sohail
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani issued an order on Sunday to form a high-level committee that can make a national strategy and take quick measures to fight against spreading novel coronavirus in the country, reported local media while quoting officials.
The decree from the president came after eight people died and 43 other got confirmed affected by the virus in the country, a situation that spread a serious panic among the people.
Rouhani urged Iranian Health Minister Saeed Namaki to do his best and use all his power to prevent the spread of coronavirus and uprooting it.
The committee consists of ministers of road and urban development, interior, education, science, tourism, and culture, as well as chief of staff of Iran's Armed Forces, head of budget and planning organization, Iran's top official lawyer, head of pilgrimage organization, government spokesperson and police chief.
The committee is expected to hold a meeting any time soon for the national issue, which has already imposed a kind of emergency across the country.
Earlier, Head of Iranian Health Ministry for public relations affairs Kianoush Jahanpour told media that the death toll of the coronavirus epidemic rose to eight people while 43 others got affected.
Iranian Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education has already confirmed that they have received the 4th shipment of coronavirus test kits from the World Health Organization.
Iranian authorities claimed to have intensified the preventive measures against the virus across the country, especially at the border crossings. Iran has already closed culture centers, schools and other educational institutes and also banned all kinds of religious and other gatherings in 14 provinces.
The government has also closed all cinemas, theaters and other halls having gatherings across the country, including sports activities.
Public service messages are urging people in Iran to wear masks, wash hands often, avoid handshaking and going to public areas and consult a doctor if feel fever, cough or flue.
Iranian capital of Tehran’s Mayor Pirouz Hanachi said on Sunday that they are sanitizing public places, buses, and subway trams of the city every night following the health protocols to fight the spread of coronavirus.
According to local reports, all of those who lost their lives are believed to be Iranian citizens. However, there are no reports about whether any foreigner is among the affected people or not.
Novel coronavirus or official known as COVID-19 first appeared in Iran on Wednesday when two people died of it in the religious city of Qom.
Iraq, Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan have reportedly closed their borders with Iran, while Kuwait and Saudi Arabia announced to take special measures.
Iran was already taking measures against the spread of the virus, but not enough to avoid it. However, the authorities are still clueless about how did the virus spread in the country.
Earlier on Sunday, Iranian officials of the health department announced that a Chinese ship docked at Deyr Port after spending the Coronavirus incubation period at sea.
The ship was kept in the distance for two weeks and it was allowed to dock after health examined the ship and people on-board and declared them health.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
