Deaths and infections from the new coronavirus have had an upward trajectory in the Islamic Republic since their months lows in May.
This has led Iran to make masks mandatory and to re-impose the restrictions that have been gradually implemented since April to reopen the economy.
Despite the rule, you can still see other unmasked people in internal department stores and banks in capitals, and state television accuses them of doing so.
“In the last 24 hours, 2,751 new programs have been reported,” fitness ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said in televised statements.
The number is from June 5, when the ministry reported 2,886 infections in one day.
The most recent count raises the total number of known cases in Iran from late February to 314,786, Lari added.
Another 212 people died from the virus in the last 24 hours, raising the total death toll to 17617.
Iran’s Deputy Minister of Health has asked for a fine of those who do not comply with the rules of the mask, since the only late sanction in force is the denial of service in public places.
“Of course, deterrence strategies will have to be used, one of which is to fine those who do not wear masks,” said Iraj Harirchi, quoted by news firm ISNA.
But those who “cannot economically buy masks will have to be exempt,” he added, without specifying how it can be determined.
Iran has suffered a severe recession since U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from a historic nuclear deal in 2018 and re-imposed crippling sanctions.
The COVID-19 pandemic worsened.
He has noticed a decline in non-oil exports, aggravated by a fall in the currency and rampant inflation, putting new pressure on those already dependent on government funds distributions.