Covid-19: UAE, other GCC states suspend flights to Iran

The UAE and other GCC countries have suspended flights to and from Iran as Tehran reported more Covid-19 deaths and cases, including its deputy health minister who tested positive for the virus.
Iranian minister Iraj Harirchi, who appeared sweaty and unwell at a Press conference a day ago, posted a video on social media on Tuesday acknowledging he has caught the virus. Another prominent politician, Mahmoud Sadeghi, also posted on Twitter that he has also contracted the virus. Tehran has reported a total of 95 cases and 15 deaths so far, most of them in the northern city of Qom.
The UAE on Tuesday suspended flights to Iran, where an outbreak of the deadly virus has been reported.
"All passengers arriving on direct flights from Tehran will receive thermal screening at the airport by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and its Airport Medical Centre team," said a statement issued by Dubai Airports.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has also banned UAE citizens from travelling to Iran and Thailand. The UAE has also put in place stricter controls at the airports with separate thermal screenings for people arriving from China and other infected countries.
Other Middle East nations like Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Oman have also suspended flights and imposed travel restrictions to Iran, while neighbours like Iraq, Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Armenia have closed their borders with Iran.
anjana@khaleejtimes.com