President Raeisi’s provincial tours suspended over mutant virus concerns

Iran's President Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi has temporarily called off his regular provincial tours as the contagious strain of the coronavirus known as omicron is spreading fast in the country.

According to Tasnim news agency, speaking at a Saturday meeting of the Coronavirus Fight National Headquarters, President Raeisi said his visits to the provinces of Iran will be canceled temporarily in accordance with the health protocols aimed at tackling the mutated strain of the coronavirus.  

He called for strict compliance with the health protocols given the new wave of the pandemic caused by the omicron variant.

The president also stressed the need for all citizens to receive the third dose of the coronavirus vaccine.

On Thursday, Iranian Health Minister Bahram Einollahi declared the start of a new wave of coronavirus pandemic in the country as hospitals report increasing number of referrals with infections related to the omicron variant.

ME