Maldivian authorities instruct closure of gyms and cinemas as virus measure

The Director-General of Public Health Maimoona Aboobakur has instructed to close all cinemas, movie theatres as well as gyms and fitness classes until further notice as a precautionary measure against the Covid-19 virus.

The Director-General instructed the closure of gyms and fitness classes in the Male’ city area and the closure of movie theatres across the country until further notice.

The order comes after the government announced a public health emergency in the country on March 12. The Director-General, under the powers vested in her by the law, had previously ordered the closure of cinemas and theatres for two weeks on March 16.

Gym owners have previously taken up the initiative to and closed up before the HPA instructions to do so.

The Maldives has so far confirmed 17 cases of the pandemic virus. 13 have made full recoveries while two locals that returned from the UK and tested positive are still being treated. A further two Italian tourists also tested positive for the virus, however, their test results were only obtained after they had departed from the country upon completing their 14-day quarantine period.