Intl. travels fall by 80% in Iran due to coronavirus

TEHRAN – The average of international travels to and from Iran fell by 80 percent during the past Iranian calendar year 1399 (ended on March 20, 2021) from a year earlier.

Iran extends ban on passenger flights due to coronavirus surge

TEHRAN – Iran has extended travel restrictions on flights to and from 15 countries due to a surge in the coronavirus disease, according to Iran Civil Aviation.

Iran hotels remain open as fourth coronavirus wave gains momentum

TEHRAN – Iranian hotels and other accommodation units remain open as the fourth coronavirus wave gains momentum across the country.

Noruz visits to Iranian museums falls by one-fifth due to virus

TEHRAN – Visits to Iranian museums fell by one-fifth during the recent Iranian New Year (Noruz) holidays (March 19-April 2) in comparison to the same period two years ago, when the new coronavirus was not yet an issue.

Iranians mark Nature Day at home amid coronavirus fears 

TEHRAN – As the government has imposed a ban on outdoor get-togethers, people in Iran celebrated the national festival of Nature Day, called Sizdah Bedar, to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Coronavirus cases rise in Iran as millions travel during holiday

TEHRAN – The number of coronavirus cases has been rising in Iran after millions traveled across the country during the Noruz holiday, which officially began on March 20.

Noruz travels authorized via public transport

TEHRAN – No ban on Noruz travels has been imposed for people who would use public transport, Transport and Urban Development Minister Mohammad Eslami announced on Sunday.

COVID-19 inflicts $1.1 billion in losses on Isfahan tourism

TEHRAN – The tourism industry of Isfahan province has suffered a loss of some 48,000 billion rials (about $1.1 billion at the official rate of 42,000 rials per dollar) since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, a provincial tourism official announced on Sunday.

Iranian president declares travel ban for ‘red’, ‘orange’ zones to combat new COVID-19 variant

TEHRAN - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday declared new travel bans for cities situated in the “red” and “orange” zones to combat the new COVID-19 variant.

We have gained permission for limited New Year travels: deputy tourism minister

TEHRAN – Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Ministry has gained official permission for organizing limited intercity travels during the Iran New Year vacations, which begins on March 21.

Iran extends ban on UK flights as new coronavirus variant spreads

TEHRAN – Iran has extended the previously-imposed ban on flights to and from the United Kingdom, adding the ban also entails connecting flights at the European country that has become a hotspot for a new coronavirus variant.

By M.A. Saki and M. Garshasbi

Leniency toward Covid-19 may prove tragic

TEHRAN - Finally, Health Minister Saeed Namaki talked frankly about the lack of enough attention and diligence to contain the rapid spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Iran should jump-start COVID-hit tourism under health protocols: VP

TEHRAN – First Vice-President Es’haq Jahangiri on Saturday tasked the tourism ministry with implementing strategic plans to help jump-start the country’s traveling sector ravaged by the coronavirus over the past couple of months.

Coronavirus costs Iran’s tourism $2.8b so far, minister says

TEHRAN – Iran’s travel sector has suffered a loss of 12 trillion rials (some $2.85 billion at the official rate of 42,000 rials) since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, tourism minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan said on Monday.

Museums, tourist spots in Bushehr still closed due to COVID-19

TEHRAN – Museums across the southwestern Bushehr province will remain closed for one more week over the coronavirus outbreak, provincial tourism chief has said. 

Hormozgan museums extend closures due to COVID-19

TEHRAN – Museums in southern Hormozgan province will remain closed for at least one more week due to the coronavirus outbreak, CHTN reported.

Coronavirus shuts Zanjan’s Katale-Khor cave once again 

TEHRAN – Katale-Khor, a limestone cave full of natural crystals believed to date from the Jurassic era, has gone on lockdown again for at least two weeks following the increase in the number of people infected with the coronavirus, CHTN reported. 

Easing lockdown, Iran reopens UNESCO-registered Persepolis,  other tourist destinations

TEHRAN – Iran has recently reopened the UNESCO-registered Persepolis, which was once the ceremonial capital of the mighty Achaemenid Empire, as well as many other tourist destinations to sightseers and history buffs, marking another phase in the easing of one of the world’s restrictions over the coronavirus outbreak.  

National Museum of Iran reopens as coronavirus curbs eased

TEHRAN – The National Museum of Iran opened its doors to the public on Sunday as restrictions over the coronavirus pandemic have been relaxed. 

Tourism ministry issues guideline to curb pandemic as travels seen to rise

TEHRAN – Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts has issued a guideline comprising health protocols to lessen coronavirus pandemic as many families are expected to start domestic travels during the upcoming Eid al-Fitr holidays (May 24 and 25).

Travel ads start in Iran as coronavirus lockdown eased

TEHRAN – Travel advertising has been resumed in Iran mainly for destinations that have no traces of the coronavirus.