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TEHRAN, April 1 (Xinhua) -- The Iranians on Wednesday cancelled Nature Day celebrations after the authorities advised people to avoid public gatherings over the novel coronavirus spread.

People celebrate the 13th day of the Iranian New Year, officially called Nature Day, which falls on the first day of April this year.

On Wednesday, the parks and green lodges across the country were closed and the roads leading to these spaces were quiet.

Following the announcement by the health authorities, the police adopted strict measures in the day and said that people as well as the cars' movements in and around the parks, gardens and countryside lodges are prohibited and any violation would be subject to prosecution.

Restrictions followed the last week's decision of the officials who announced the implementation of social distancing plan requiring all schools, universities, shopping malls, parks, sports complexes, swimming pools and entertainment facilities to be closed, with the aim of stopping gatherings and avoiding unnecessary movements.

Social distancing started in Iran on March 17 and will continue until April 8.

Iran's ministry of health on Wednesday reported the total number of 47,593 cases of novel coronavirus infection, of whom 3,036 have died.