Iran's president calls for ban on weddings, wakes to halt virus spread

FILE PHOTO: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is seen wearing a face mask during a meeting, in Tehran, Iran, July 4 2020. Official Presidential website/Handout via REUTERS

(Reuters) - Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani called on Saturday for big gatherings such as weddings and wakes to be banned to stem a rise in coronavirus infections, but insisted the country's economy had to stay open.

Shortly after Rouhani’s televised speech, a police official in Tehran announced the closure of all wedding and mourning venues in the capital until further notice.