Iran to shut top Shiite shrine during Persian new year holidays

Dubai: Iran's Imam Reza shrine, a magnet attracting millions of Muslim pilgrims in the holy city of Mashhad every year, will be closed during the country's New Year Holidays from March 20 over coronavirus concerns, state TV reported.

The announcement comes as "the situation in Mashhad has grown more acute" and the city "is going through its most decisive week" in battle against the Covid-19 disease, semi-official ISNA reported, citing Mayor Mohammad Reza Kalaei.