Iran's top commander says to empty public place over COVID-19 "soon"

Chief of Staff of Iran Armed Forces Hossein Baqeri said on Friday that public places across the country will be emptied of people's unnecessary presence soon amid the rampant growth of infections of the coronavirus, official IRNA news agency reported.

"The process of emptying the roads, streets and shopping centers from the people will start by the national decision (of authorities) within the next 24 hours," Baqeri was quoted as saying.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Thursday ordered the Iranian armed forces to form the "Health and Medical Headquarters" to enhance efforts fighting against COVID-19.

Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education on Friday announced that 11,364 people in the country have contracted the COVID-19, of whom 514 have died.