Iran as a Post-Corona Travel Destination
These days, we are all going through a rough time because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, and it’s not just the financial outcome of the lockdowns that has been bothering the world. The pressure of being cooped up for such a long period, not being able to travel and get away from it all, has been as much -if not more- of a challenge.
Now that the whole world is holding its breath and waiting for the call of freedom, what else is there to do than daydream about our next trip and think about which corner of the world is the safest to go?
Read on to find out why Iran is the most logical choice for your first post-Corona vacation, both in terms of the sights and the safety of the trip.
Iran in the Time of Pandemic
The Iranian government started the total lockdown of the country at the end of February. This lockdown meant that all of the non-essential businesses were closed. Moreover, all unnecessary trips were banned during March 2020; following this protocol strictly allowed the country to prevent a severe outbreak of the virus in most cities. Today, the spokesperson for the government is assuring people that we have now passed the peak of the Pandemic and are moving towards stopping the disease from spreading. This news also means that Iran is a relatively safe place for tourists to spend their upcoming vacation.
This, however, does not mean that the social distancing protocols have stopped being imposed, and everything has gone back to the way it was. Most of the high-risk environments, such as cafes and restaurants, schools, and gyms are closed. But outdoor areas such as parks, historical sites, and open-air markets are now open, under the strict scrutiny of the health supervisors to follow the social distancing protocols.
Preventive Protocols in Iran
To make traveling in Iran as safe as possible, specific protocols are being imposed in the transportation section: All airplanes in Iran are decontaminated vigorously before and after each flight, and all the passengers are tested for symptoms such as high fever before entering the plane. Additionally, all the passengers are issued with a surgical mask which they are required to keep on during the flight.
In trains, no more than two people are allowed to sit in a car unless they are members of the same family. Moreover, all vehicles are regularly decontaminated, and the passengers are required to keep their masks on during the journey.
What’s more, cars are asked to drive through a sanitizer tunnel, which cleans the exterior of the vehicle, and the driver and all the passengers are tested with a thermometer upon entering each city. All these precautions are taken to not only to prevent the disease from spreading further into the country but also to ensure passengers’ safety.
Post-Corona Destinations in Iran
Kish Island
One of the places in Iran that is relatively safe to visit after the COVID-19 lockdown is Kish Island. The reason is that this island was completely shut off during the peak of the outbreak and did not open its gates until the area was much safer.
On Kish Island, you can enjoy the tropical sunlight and extensive shopping, as well as exciting experiences such as scuba diving and paragliding. If you are a fan of swimming and sea creatures, one of the things you can do is go swimming in the open sea with dolphins. Just apply plenty of sunscreen to your face and body, because the sun and its reflection in the water can be quite harmful to the skin.
Persepolis
After you have had your fill of the blissful relaxation on the beach and the marvelous scenery of sunset over the sea, it’s time to head over to one of the oldest and most beautiful historical sights in the UNESCO world heritage list: Persepolis in Shiraz. As it is an outdoor site and the officials insist on keeping a safe distance, Persepolis is also a safe place where you can roam around as much as you want in Iran. The ancient ruins of the royal palace of Darius the Great, Persepolis is a clear window to Iran’s long history and ancient civilization. Be sure to take a camera and use enough sunscreen as Shiraz also has a warm climate.
Lut Desert and Dasht-e-Kavir
Looking for another safe place to spend a memorable night on your journey through Iran? Imagine spending the night in a pitch-black desert, closer to the stars than you have ever been. There are two significant deserts in Iran, which cover about 128.000 km: Kavir-e-Lut and Dasht-e-Kavir. However, one of the most popular desert destinations in Iran is called the Maranjab Desert in the center of Iran. In this part of the desert, you can see one of the largest salt lakes in the world during the day, and after watching a glorious sunset and having a fireside dinner, you can spend the rest of your night stargazing.
Visiting the desert has a curious effect on the human soul, it is like you see how close the skies can be and yet how minuscule you are facing this massive expanse of nothing. But it’s not all soul searching and quiet time. Desert safaris and off-road driving are some of the exhilarating experiences you can have in Iranian deserts. You can also visit the ancient inns in the desert, which are called caravanserai. Interestingly these places are still operational, and you can sleep in them just as travelers did hundreds of years ago.
Conclusion
Coronavirus outbreak has changed our daily routines so drastically that we are ready to leave everything behind and just hit the road. But one must always thread on the side of caution and pick a place that makes an unforgettable journey but also does its best to ensure your safety and well-being. Iran, with its expanse and variety of climates and even with the stringent protocols regarding locals’ and tourists’ safety alike is one of the countries that can offer you both. So, pack your bags and as soon as the coast is clear, step on the road. you won’t regret it!
