Due to the spread of the novel corona virus in Iran, several countries have implemented protective measures such as border closures and entry bans. „After an increase in the number of cases in Iran, we decided to close our land border (to Iran, note),“ said Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca today. This temporary measure was ordered after an exchange with the Iranian authorities.
Koca said that it will stop both road and rail traffic between the two countries. Aircraft from Iran are also unlikely to land after 8:00 p.m. local time (6:00 p.m. CEST). Flights from Turkey to Iran are still possible.
Iran had only reported its first cases of infection a few days ago. In the meantime, more than 40 people were infected in the Islamic Republic. With eight fatalities, Iran became the country with the most deaths from the corona virus outside of China.
Armenia, Pakistan and Afghanistan are also responding
Like Armeinia, Pakistan closed its border with Iran today, as a high-ranking official in the southwestern province of Baluchistan said. The neighboring country of Afghanistan temporarily prohibited all travel between the two countries. The National Security Council in Kabul said the coronavirus should be kept further away from Afghanistan.
Jordan not only prohibited people from Iran from entering the country, but also from South Korea and China. The Minister of State for Media Affairs, Amjad Adajleh, said they are taking precautionary measures against the increased number of cases in Iran and South Korea. The provisional entry ban applies to foreigners. Jordanian citizens are allowed to enter from the three countries, but are then quarantined for two weeks.
