Iran fears second wave of coronavirus as death toll rises to 2,077

FILE PHOTO: A man wears a protective face mask, amid fear of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), as he walks at Mellat park, ahead of the Iranian New Year Nowruz, March 20, in Tehran, Iran March 19, 2020. WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Ali Khara via REUTERS

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran may face a second outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, a government spokesman said on Wednesday, as the Islamic Republic banned internal travel and traditional gatherings in parks during the Persian New Year holiday period.

"Unfortunately some Iranians have ignored advice from health ministry officials and travelled during the New Year holidays ... This could cause a second wave of the coronavirus," spokesman Ali Rabiei said, according to state TV.