Page 7 - IRANRptNov20

Iranian crude production fell to 2mn barrels per day, according to an OPEC survey by S&P Platts, a drop of 1.1mn bpd year on year.
The result of next week’s election is likely to have significant repercussions for the Iranian economy, with incumbent President Donald Trump envisaged sticking to his hardline approach, while Democrat nominee Joe Biden has said he would be open to dialogue with Tehran.
2.2​ ​Officials hit out at ‘lax Iranians’ as intensity of virus outbreak worsens further still
Iranians are too lax in complying with coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions, Iran’s government said on October 27.
Officials spoke out as the country, enduring its third wave of the pandemic, again set daily records for infections and deaths.
On available figures, Iran is enduring the worst coronavirus outbreak in the Middle East, although things are possibly worse in neighbouring Turkey—nobody can say for sure as Ankara refuses to release its numbers of asymptomatic cases, opting instead to only publish the number of people showing COVID-19 symptoms, even though people displaying no symptoms can spread the virus.
Iran on October 26 reported a daily death toll of 346, pushing the overall official toll to 33,299.​ ​New cases stood at 6,968, bringing the total to 581,824. ​“According to the latest figures, the rate of compliance with health protocols is 57.7%, which is very low. We need to raise compliance during this epidemic ... More than ever, we need national strength and empathy,” said Iranian health ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari, as quoted by state news agency IRNA.
Residents in Tehran have been ordered to wear masks in public and many public sector workers in the capital have been told to stay home every second day.
Non-essential businesses have been shut in Tehran and dozens of other cities. Schools, theatres and museums have been closed and social, cultural and religious events cancelled for at least a week, with authorities saying the measures could be extended, Reuters reported.
Alireza Zali, head of the Tehran coronavirus taskforce, suggested police could be tougher on those who flout the rules. “We are going through bitter coronavirus days in the capital and we should expect to see strict measures on [enforcing compliance with] health protocols,” Zali told a gathering of police officials, according to IRNA.
“In the latest opinion poll we had, citizens asked us to deal decisively with offenders.”
7​ IRAN Country Report November 2020 www.intellinews.com