Govt spokesman: Govt takes care of people at critical situation of epidemic

Tehran, May 11, IRNA - Government spokesman Ali Rabiei said on Monday that the Iranian government spares no effort to save and protect the lives of its people and secure jobs. Rabiei made the remarks at a press conference. Asked about the anti-coronavirus headquarters meeting held on Sunday in the presence of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Rabiei said the latest situation of the coronavirus pandemic was reviewed. Government makes round-the-clock efforts to fight the coronavirus pandemic and save lives of the people, the spokesman said. Talking of the issue of social distancing, Rabiei said the plan decreased the number of the dead but the number of the infected are on rise. On April 7, Iran began smart distancing initiative after successful implementation of social distancing plan, according to report by Minister of Health and Medical Education Saeed Namaki. Also about the tests being done in the country to detect those who have coronavirus symptoms, the spokesman said the tests are near to daily 30,000, while the country is planned to do 1.5 million tests in a day in order to complete the screening plan. He further called on the people to follow the health protocols to breeze through the current critical situation. Appreciating the medical forces' efforts, Rabiei said their readiness helped fight the virus successfully. Turning to the issue of extradition of prisoners between Iran and the US, the spokesman said that making decision about the issue does not need any talks or any mediation efforts. If there is determination to extradite prisoners, it will be done through Swiss Embassy which represents the US interests in Iran, Rabiei noted. Touching upon the tragic event occurred for Afghan migrants in Harirud river on Iran-Afghanistan border, eastern Iran, Rabiei said that commute on borders between the two neighboring countries should be well organized to prevent from happening such events. He further expressed sympathy with the Afghan families of the victims. Iran has declared that it is ready to form a committee to inquire into the case to clarify different aspects of the human tragedy, he added. More than three million Afghan people are being hosted in Iran, and Iran sees them as its own citizens even when dealing with the issue of coronavirus pandemic, the spokesman said, adding that Iran attaches great importance to its brotherly relations with Afghanistan. Rabiei stressed that not only Iranian border guards but also the Afghan counterparts are obliged to tackle the shortages on borders. Some are after damaging friendly ties between Iran and Afghanistan, but Tehran does not let them do so, he underlined. About Tehran's ties with neighbors, Rabiei said Iran welcomes appointment of Mustafa al-Kazemi as new Iraqi Prime Minister and is keen on deepening of relations with Iraq. Turning to the situation of coronavirus pandemic, the official said conditions are not normal yet, and restrictions on presence in public places are still in force. Meanwhile, the government has decided to reopen the schools as of May 16, but it is not obligatory for the students. The government will decide about reopening of the universities next week; meanwhile, the religious sites will open to public gradually and based on health protocols, he added. Follow us on Twitter @IrnaEnglish