Covid-19: in Iran, despite the situation, bars and restaurants remain open
In the Tajrish bazaar, in Tehran, the Iranian capital, on March 17, 2021. AFP - ATTA KENARE
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
Iran is the most affected country in the Middle East by Covid-19 with 1.7 million recorded cases and 60,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
However, the authorities take few restrictive measures and shops and restaurants remain open.
Publicity
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With our special
correspondent in Tehran,
Muriel Paradon
As Nowruz, the Iranian New Year approaches
, there are crowds in the streets of Tehran.
In front of a fruit juice vendor, a long queue has formed.
Wearing a mask is respected but not social distancing.
A young woman who has come with her friends is cautious.
“
Since last year, since the start of the coronavirus, we have not gone out to go to restaurants and when we go out, we prefer to go to open spaces
,” she explains.
Restaurants are open in Tehran and you can dine inside.
Hydro-alcoholic gel is available, but there is not much space between the tables.
That does not worry this Iranian family sitting in a pizzeria.
“
During this period of the coronavirus, I often went to restaurants with my daughter, I was never afraid,
” explains a woman.
“
We go to much more crowded places like the metro or the bus,
” adds one man.
Restaurants were closed at the same time last year, for the Iranian New Year.
They have since reopened.
For the manager of the pizzeria, it is necessary to make up for lost revenue despite the health risks.
As he recalls, "
perhaps in some countries like France, the government helps restaurateurs, but here we have no help
."
Restaurants must however close their doors at 9 p.m. because of the curfew, which is not always respected.
► See also: In Iran, vaccination against Covid-19 is long overdue
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