Malta reintroduces measures to curb drastic COVID-19 resurgence

Malta is reintroducing a series of measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic by closing clubs, bars and discos, Maltese Health Minister Chris Fearne announced on Monday as the island nation is hit by a second wave.

Fearne said during a press conference that bars and nightclubs will be closed as from Wednesday and only those with restaurants will be allowed to remain open.

He said gatherings of groups of more than 15 people were also being banned while masks will be mandatory in closed public spaces.

Weddings were also being allowed but only if guests were seated at tables with a maximum of eight people per table and with food and drinks taken to the individual tables so that the guests do not mingle around or gather at the bar.

Boat parties were being stopped while smaller touristic cruises around the idyllic harbour were still being allowed but with social distancing restrictions in place, he added.

The Maltese government is facing increasing pressure to take preventive measures as the number of people infected with the virus has climbed steadily. The health authorities announced on Monday 69 new cases in the previous 24 hours, bringing the total active cases up to 607. Tests carried out on Sunday totalled 2,269.

Many of these restrictions had already been introduced in March and April, at the height of the pandemic, but then lifted when the situation seemed under control.

Fearne said these measures were taken to further decrease the rate of transmission and were being introduced alongside other measures such as intensive testing, contact tracing and through social distancing.

On flights, he said the “red” and the “green” lists of countries will be remained, but Malta was introducing an “amber” list.

However, he did not give details of which countries were on this new list.

He said those coming from the “amber” list countries need to bring a certificate showing they are negative for COVID-19. The test cannot be more than 72 hours old.

Authorities can do random tests on passengers wherever they deem it necessary. The “amber” list will be reviewed every week.

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