In comments at a Saturday meeting of the Coronavirus Fight National Headquarters, Rouhani said wearing a face mask in all public places will be obligatory as of tomorrow.

People without masks will not receive services at government offices and institutions, he noted, adding that government employees will also be barred from entering offices if they refuse to wear a mask or observe the health regulations.

The president also emphasized that hiding the coronavirus infection is a violation of the rights of others, saying anybody aware of contracting COVID-19 is duty-bound to inform others on humanitarian and religious grounds.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Rouhani praised the Health Ministry and all Iranian medical staff for their great job in making efforts to tackle the pandemic.

The death toll from the novel coronavirus and the number of new cases of infection in Iran has risen sharply in recent weeks after the reopening of businesses and public places.

The death toll from COVID-19 in Iran has exceeded 11,200 and the total number of coronavirus cases has reached 235,429.

An official from the Iranian Judiciary said in March that according to the country’s regulations, making any threat to public health is a crime, and those aware of being infected with coronavirus and hiding it will be jailed for at least one year.

After the General Conference approved the appointment, Conference President Maria Zeneida Angara Collinson, Ambassador of the Philippines, invited Mr. Amano to take the oath of office.

Mr. Amano said he was deeply honoured by the decision of the General Conference to renew his mandate as Director General for another term, International Atomic Energy Agency reported.

“In this 60th anniversary year of the IAEA, I accept re-appointment with gratitude and humility. I sincerely thank Member States for their trust and confidence,” he said.

“In the coming years, I will continue to implement our Atoms for Peace and Development mandate energetically and in an impartial and transparent manner, under the guidance of the Board of Governors, and for the benefit of all Member States,” he added.

The approval follows Mr. Amano’s appointment by the IAEA Board of Directors on 8 March to a new term, and – in line with the IAEA Statute – requested the General Conference to approve this appointment.