Iran may stop mass Ramadan events over virus

Iran's supreme leader suggested Thursday that mass gatherings in the Islamic Republic may be barred through the holy month of Ramadan amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made the comment in a televised address as Iran tries to restart its economic activity while suffering one of the world's worst outbreaks.

Ramadan is set to begin in late April and last through most of May.

Shiites typically pray communally, especially during Ramadan.

Khamenei urged them to pray in their homes.

Iran has reported over 67,000 confirmed cases of the new virus, with nearly 4,000 deaths.

However, experts have repeatedly questioned those numbers.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has ordered the country's economy to slowly begin opening back up starting Saturday, leading to worries the nation could see a second wave of infections.

The Islamic Republic's economy is suffering under intense U.S. sanctions after President Donald Trump.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.