After more than a year living – or better to say coexisting – with coronavirus, now the whole society, even the little children, know how to deal with it. Masks and sanitizers have become essential things in our bags and pockets. People try to keep social distance in their everyday life. Many people avoid traveling, all of Iran tours are canceled, and, for many people, working at home has become an alternative for physical attending at work. All these were the same as the rest of the world. But, maybe the worst part for Iranians was quitting parties and gatherings.
We used to pay a visit to our family members and relatives very often. So, staying home in this condition was a social sacrifice rather than social distance. Yep! By all these, we tried to keep it safe in Iran. We adapted our life, work, education, and hobbies, including traveling with this like-never-before situation.
COVID-19 Latest Updates in Iran
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November 2021:
Finally, Iran borders are open and the Iran tourist visa is going to be issued again. Now, the tourists who were waiting for two years can pack for an exciting journey to the ancient land of Persia. Also, the vaccination process goes on. Up to November 13th, about 66% of Iranian adults received at least one dose, and about 50% are fully vaccinated.
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October 2021:
From the end of October Iran will again issue visas for foreign visitors. The borders have been closed for tourists since April 2020.
Also, about 43% of Iran’s population received at least one dose, and about 19% were fully vaccinated. The process is going on at a high rate.
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August 2021:
For the fifth time, Iran was entangled with an overall rise of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was far more severe than the previous ones. Meanwhile, the vaccination process is ongoing; about 3.5% of Iranians were fully vaccinated by the 5th of August. On the other hand, the tourism visa was supposed to be issued in July. Yet this fifth peak caused a postponement in the plans. The process may begin after the peak falls.
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May 2021:
Though slowly, the 4th rise of the pandemic decreased. Iran continued its vaccination program, seriously. The first phase (the health care personnel and people with underlying diseases) was done. Over 1.3 million doses were injected. The next phase, vaccinating the elders started.
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April 2021:
Unfortunately, Iran struggled with another rise in the Covid-19 statistics. The fourth peak hovered all over Iran as fast as a flood. Iran has managed to control the third wave of pandemic and get to a stable state with safe blue and yellow cities. Yet, in this wave, the cities have gone black. This was due to the New Year’s vacations.
But the good news of this stage was that the vaccination program was in progress. Though it is not as fast and comprehensive as it should be, the 2nd phase had started and continued as planned.
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March 2021:
After the spread of Coronavirus new variant in many European countries, now it’s Iran’s turn. Thus there is another raise in the disease rate. March 21st is the Persian New Year. So, domestic travels are prohibited to/ from red and orange cities.
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February 2021:
According to Iran Health Ministry, all travelers at any age must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result certificate to enter Iran. Also, the test would be repeated at their arrival in Iran. Due to the increasing rate of COVID-19 in Europe, the European visitors will be quarantined for 14 days, in addition to the PCR test.
The National Corona Vaccination Program started on February 9th for the healthcare personnel. It will continue for this group, as well as people with any underlying disease. This program will go on until winter 2022, which is the last phase, and vaccinates all people from different groups.
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January 2021:
about two months after the overall quarantine, the number of red cities decreased. On January 9th, the Tehran governor announced this city is yellow. Also, we reached the point that there are blue regions in which people can have an ordinary life, in case they observe the health protocols. On January 23rd, the health ministry declared there is no red region in Iran, and the decreasing rate of new cases is going on. But so far, limitations like night lockdown or traveling forbiddance to the remaining orange regions will continue until mid-March, the beginning of the new year in Iran.
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December 21st, 2020:
due to the new strain of COVID-19 in England, all the flights between Iran and England were canceled for two weeks.
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November 2020:
after about a year of dealing with the COVID-19, finally, Iran had to undergo an overall quarantine. The authorities declared an official and strict quarantine from November 21st. Based on each city’s population and the new cases rate, they categorized the cities into red, orange, and yellow regions. In these regions, any commutation was forbidden from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Traveling from or to other cities was banned except by the public transportation system. Workplaces have to be closed by 9 p.m., and offices must work with a lesser number of employees.
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September 2020:
despite all the taken strategies, the coronavirus was still devouring many victims. Most of the cities were in a critical situation. Educational centers were held online in the new academic year. Shops and malls had to close by the evening. And, public transportation system closed its service sooner than usual.
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July 2020:
the death rates were high again. Using masks in public places became mandatory. Those without masks would face a fine.
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June 2020:
After about two months of social distancing, observing the new rules, staying at home, etc., which resulted in a decrease in statistics, people let their guard down against this threat. So, the second soar of COVID-19 started.
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May 2020:
new cases and death rates decreased dramatically. In 25% of provinces, COVID-19 new cases were lass than 10. The educational centers were still closed. But, in case of observing the health protocols, mosques could be open.
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March 13th, 2020:
a week before Iranian Nowruz festival, the government developed new limitations over traveling between cities. This new year was the most different one. Instead of traveling and/or visiting their relatives, many people had to stay at home. That was when we got familiar with the term “social distancing”.
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February 22nd, 2020:
schools, universities, mosques, and many other crowded places were closed. Also, the office’s work hours decreased. Shops, markets, and restaurants started to update their health protocols. All the flights to or from Iran were canceled.
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February 20th, 2020:
the health ministry of Iran officially declared the first death cases due to coronavirus.
Can I Travel to Iran During Pandemic?
We should follow the WHO and Iran ministry of health advice. Right now, in January 2022, Iran does not issue a tourist visa for travelers. By the way, there are some exceptional cases in which you can apply for a visa. You may either be a medical tourist or planning to travel to Iran for business purposes. All the visitors (Iranian and non-Iranian) need to take the COVID-19 test before their travel to Iran. The COVID test must be taken no later than 96 hours before your trip. Also, this rule applies to visitors over two years old holding any Iran visa. So, all travelers must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result certificate to enter Iran.
How Is Iran Tourism in 2022?
As same as the other countries dealing with the pandemic, Iran has closed its borders. It means all Iran tours welcoming foreign tourists are canceled. But domestic travels are ongoing to some extent. Traveling to blue regions with Iran small group tours and a limited number of tourists are allowed. Also, to avoid the crowd in the cities, the destination of these travels has changed. Instead of booking the tours that include visiting the cultural attractions, people are now more interested in adventure and short-term tours.
So, if you want to travel to Iran and have a visa, it’s safer to visit Iran now that there has been a decrease in COVID-19 statistics. Yet, it relatively depends on your observations of the rules and protocols. Also, it’s a good time for thinking about a different kind of traveling to Iran. How about planning a trip beyond the COVID restrictions?
Start Planning Your Trip to Iran Now
You may not know the exact date of your traveling to Iran. In addition to all the factors every tourist should consider, they should add visa limitations and COVID-19 protocols to their list. Now that you have enough time for planning review our varied Iran tour packages. All you need to do is finding what fits you best: Iran cultural tour, hiking and trekking, Iran desert tours, or Iran festivals. Depending on the probable time of your arrival in Iran, choose a tour package that satisfies you and your taste. If you didn’t find what you want, there is still this option on the table: we prepare a Iran tailor-made tour for you. Our services are flexibles based on our unique category, moments. Whether you prefer such as natural attractions, visiting more historical sites, or spending more time with local people, we are here to plan a suitable tour package for you. All you need is to contact us.
Booking Tours for 2022 & 2021 and Cancelation Policy
Our flexible cancelation policy lets you book our tour and cancel it if necessary, with a refund. With all the uncertainties about the future, this can help plan your travel to Iran. According to our cancellation policies, we will fully refund your deposit for cancellations before 60 days of your trip. For more information, you can check our booking terms and conditions page.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected all our lives, we all know that it will end sooner or later. Meanwhile, we are trying to make some improvements to our Iran tours. We greatly miss the tourists and are looking forward to having them and showing them the beauties of Iran again!
