Iran reopens religious shrines after two-month closure

Tehran, Iran

Iran has reopened its major Shia Muslim shrines, two months after they were closed to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Worshippers will be allowed to access courtyards, but not covered areas. They must also wear face masks and abide by social distancing rules.

People were sprayed with disinfectant and had their temperatures checked at Tehran's Abdol Azim shrine on Monday.

Iran's Shia shrines are visited every year by tens of millions of pilgrims, who spend many hours praying near the tombs they house. Many also kiss or touch the tombs.

Iran has suffered the Middle East's worst Covid-19 outbreak, with 137,000 cases and 7,450 deaths reported.

On 16 March, as the official death toll approached 1,000, the government ordered the closure of major religious sites, schools and universities to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.