Iran has increased production of face masks and sanitizers in a move to counter COVID-19 grappling the country in full battle against the epidemic.

The government has banned export of protective face masks while imposing tight health restrictions on arrival of foreign nationals into the country. The export ban comes as [the] Iranian Red Crescent Society has declared its readiness to supply protective equipment nationwide amid the deadly outbreak.

The coronavirus is fast spreading in the Middle East, Europe and other parts of the world, while parts of China begin to lower their emergency response level as the number of new cases reported there continues to slow. More deaths have been reported in Iran, Italy and South Korea while globally at least 80,000 people have been diagnosed with the illness.

According to Health Ministry Spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour, the total number of people diagnosed with the disease is over 380, of whom 73 people have recovered in the past few days and 34 people have died. In response to the epidemic, the government plans to build makeshift hospitals in affected areas and purchase excess products from health goods businesses following the outbreak.

Under a directive by the Health Ministry, schools, universities and cultural centers have been shut down in a bid to fight against the deadly virus. Free masks are also being distributed nationwide, with priority given to places that have reported coronavirus cases.