Iran's security forces have been ordered to clear the streets nationwide within 24 hours in a bid to stop the novel coronavirus spreading, AFP quoted the armed forces chief as saying on Friday.

A newly-formed commission will be charged with overseeing the “emptying of shops, streets and roads” as part of a nationwide decision to be implemented within the next 24 hours, Major General Mohammad Bagheri said in televised remarks.

Iran is one of the countries most affected by the pandemic outside China, with a death toll of 514, and a total of 11,364 diagnosed infections, up till Friday.