Iran reports surge in cases as more than 3,000 test positive for Covid-19

The UAE has lifted restrictions on malls and private businesses

Worshippers wearing protective face masks to help prevent the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus outside a shrine in Tehran, Iran. AP

Iran has seen its second-highest surge in coronavirus cases since the start of the outbreak after 3,117 people tested positive for the virus in 24 hours, according to the country’s health ministry.

The increase comes as the number of new infections nears the daily toll seen during the peak of the outbreak in March, when a high of 3,186 infections was reported in a single day on March 31.

Authorities in the Islamic Republic have been easing lockdown restrictions since April but health minister Saeed Namaki said on Monday the country should brace for a second wave of infections if people ignore distancing guidelines.

“That people have become completely careless regarding this disease” was of great concern, Mr Namaki said.

“They either have total confidence in us or think the coronavirus has gone. The latter is not true at all,” the ISNA news agency quoted him as saying.

Iran has recorded 157,562 cases of the virus to date, of whom 7,942 have died. Health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said 64 Iranians had died from Covid-19 in the past 24 hours.

Restrictions have eased since the Eid holiday across the region, with Dubai announcing on Tuesday that shopping malls and private businesses will re-open at full capacity for the first time in two months.

The decision falls a steady decline in new infections in the UAE, with 596 new cases reported on Tuesday. Three more people died from the virus, while a further 388 recovered.

But social distancing measures remain in place and regulations are being enforced to ensure people take steps to limit the spread of the disease.

Officials in Dubai fined more than 100 beachgoers for failing to follow regulations after beaches re-opened on May 30. Groups are limited to no more than five people and masks are mandatory, except when in the water authorities said.

In Abu Dhabi, police introduced a week-long permit system for people entering and leaving the emirate from Tuesday. Residents of Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain and Al Dhafra can travel within their cities but not leave them until next week.

Elsewhere in the UAE, Ajman police have warned motorists they will be fined Dh1,000 for throwing masks and gloves from car windows and Sharjah has instructed all restaurants, bakeries and cafes to install surveillance cameras so that food safety can be monitored.

In Qatar, the Ministry of Health confirmed 1,826 new cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday, bringing the number of infections in the country to 60,259.

Kuwait recorded 887 new cases, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 28,649. Kuwait’s largest private airline, Jazeera Airways has announced 50,000 free round-trip flights for front-line workers who have been battling the country’s Covid-19 pandemic.