The majority of gym owners based in the Greater Male' area, on Monday, decided to temporarily close all gyms and fitness centres in the capital city until March 28.

The decision was finalised in accordance with Health Protection Agency (HPA)'s directive to avoid public gatherings, during a meeting convened to discuss responsibilities and necessary steps to take in response to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

A representative of the meeting's participants expressed hope that all gyms and fitness centres across Maldives would follow the decision as well.

On March 12, Maldives declared a public health emergency under Section 33 of the 7/2012 Public Health Act for a period of 30 days.

Maldives currently has 13 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including a tourist couple on a liveaboard, two cases from Anantara Dhigu, five foreign nationals from Kuredu Island Resort as well as two foreign citizens from Sandies Bathala and Kuramathi Maldives each. No locals have tested positive for the virus as of yet.