Cities deserted across globe amid outbreak

Iran has closed down all commercial centers except for those related to food supplies and pharmacies as part of new restrictive measures to stem the coronavirus outbreak, according to the country's Press TV.

Iran's Deputy Health Minister Alireza Raisi said on Saturday that the country has screened more than 31 million people for the novel coronavirus, Press TV said.

The total number of infected cases so far is 21,600, AP said.

On Saturday, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said social distancing will continue for two or three weeks as the outbreak in the country is expected to slow down by then.