MNA � President Hassan Rouhani said the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will remain for a long time, warning that people still need to follow health protocols.

�Even if we procure the vaccine, the situation remains the same for a long time and all people must observe the health protocols and social distancing until the situation improves,� Rouhani said during a meeting of the National Headquarters for Managing and Fighting the coronavirus in Tehran on Saturday.

�As we are approaching the cold seasons that are accompanied by other diseases such as flu, we must know that we will have this situation for a long time,� he added.

Noting that the coronavirus period has changed the nature of the government�s investments, Rouhani called for directing the attention toward the health sector, knowledge-based firms and digital economics to make the best out of the situation and help soothe the people�s economic woes.

According to Iran�s Health Ministry, 416,198 people have so far been infected with the coronavirus in Iran, of whom 23,952 have lost their lives.