Russia closes border with Iran over coronavirus fears

MOSCOW

The Russian government announced on Friday a decision to close its border for foreign citizens and people without citizenship, arriving to Russia from Iran.

The decision published on the government's website, was made to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19.

"To ensure the security of the state, protect public health and prevent spreading of new coronavirus infection [2019-nCoV] on the territory of the Russian Federation, the Federal Security Service of Russia from 00:00 local time on March 7, 2020 temporarily bans for foreign citizens and persons without citizenship, coming from the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran, from entering the territory of the Russian Federation for training and employment, as well as for private, tourist and transit purposes," it said.

Earlier today, an emergency team announced six new coronavirus cases in Russia, saying the number of infected people rose to 10, including seven Russians, two Chinese and one Italian who are currently receiving treatment.

On Thursday, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin declared regime of emergency in the Russian capital over the spread of coronavirus.

The new coronavirus emerged in Wuhan, China, last December and has now spread to more than 80 countries.

The global death toll is nearing 3,500, with around 100,000 confirmed cases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The WHO, which had declared the outbreak an international health emergency, recently updated the global risk level to “very high”.