The CIJM has urged citizens of the Mediterranean to stay at home during the coronavirus pandemic ©CIJM

The International Committee of the Mediterranean Games (CIJM) has asked citizens of the region to stay at home as it continues to be one of the areas worst affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement it said: "The protection of human life and public health should be the sole priority for all of us.

"International Committee of the Mediterranean Games calls on all Mediterranean people to support the global fight against the COVID-19 by staying home.

"Human life, health, solidarity and social cohesion constitute the 'summum bonum' of life and the fundamental principles of the Ideals of Olympism and Sport."

Using the hashtag "StayHome", CIJM also said it had "activated teleworking on March 16" in response to the crisis.

It is hoped that social distancing can slow the spread of COVID-19.

Italy imposed a national quarantine nearly two weeks ago ©Getty Images
Italy imposed a national quarantine nearly two weeks ago ©Getty Images

There have been more than 285,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the globe, with more than 11,800 deaths to date.

Italy has the most deaths attributed to the virus - more than 4,000 - and more than 47,000 confirmed cases.

Several more countries in the CIJM movement, including Spain and France, are in states of lockdown and people are being urged to not leave the house for non-essential reasons.

There have been more than 1,300 COVID-19 deaths in Spain and 450 in France.