TEHRAN, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Iran on Thursday announced the implementation of a social distancing plan for one week starting from Friday, official IRNA news agency reported.

The plan is aimed to reduce contacts, stop holding gatherings, and avoid unnecessary movements.

Based on the plan, all the schools, universities, shopping centers, parks, swimming pools, and entertainment centers will be closed.

Besides, further limitations will be put on intercity travels by air, train and buses.

The plan can be extended for further days if the authorities deem it necessary.

Iran, which reported the first COVID-19 cases on Feb. 19, is one of the hardest-hit countries by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

On Thursday, Iran's total number of the infections surged to 29,406, of whom 2,234 people have died.