Iran's death toll from the coronavirus outbreak has risen to over 1,500 with the total number of people infected now exceeding 20,000, according to a health ministry official.
Like in Ireland, Iran's battle with Covid-19 has coincided with a massive public holiday and time of celebration and there are fears now that these celebrations could lead to a further spike in infections.
The President of the Islamic Republic, Hassan Rouhani, said social distancing measures to combat the coronavirus outbreak, including travel restrictions, will apply for only two to three more weeks as he expected the crisis to ease by then.
In comments broadcast on State TV, he added that Iran "has to do everything necessary to return economic production to normal"