More on those remarks by Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani that the country cannot afford another Covid shutdown.

He said Iran had to comply with health protocols but would carry out necessary economic and cultural activities to keep the economy going.

"No government is able to shut down its country's economic activities in the long-run," he told a meeting of Iran's Covid-19 headquarters.

He warned Iranians that gatherings such as weddings, mourning ceremonies, parties and festivities were “unacceptable in the current situation” and called for them to be limited.

Anyone who tested positive for the virus should not keep it a secret, he said.

Iran's government has told people to wear face masks in public areas as it continues to tackle the spread of the virus.

In March, Iran was considered one of the hardest hit countries aside from China. However, after a decline in cases, the government started to relax restrictions in April. But it has recently seen another surge in cases.

Officials have suggested the renewed spike could be down to more testing, and Rouhani has said that means you will find more cases.

BBC