Update below: No establishments were found in breach of the Legal Notice on closure when a series of inspections were carried out, The Ministry for Tourism and Consumer Protection has said.
As of midnight, between Tuesday, the 17th and Wednesday, the 18th, inspections were carried out in various localities across Malta, including Sliema, St Julian’s, Gzira, Msida, St Paul’s Bay, Bugibba, Marsascala, Fgura, Valletta, and Floriana, by officers from MTA’s Compliance & Regulatory Directorate.
The Government in an update, said that “in the last 24 hours, more than 500 inspections were carried out by the MTA in a number of locations in Malta and Gozo and no food or drinking establishment was found to have broken the regulations imposed on them to remain closed in order to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.”
The Authority said that it will start issuing fines equivalent to €3,000 for each and every occasion that the order for closure of places open to the public is breached.
MTA Chief Executive Officer Johann Buttigieg said, “just as MTA was committed over the past few years to bring record numbers of visitors, we are again committed to work hand on hand with the relevant authorities to ensure that no breaches of the Public Health regulations occur.”
Buttigieg added that “by ensuring compliance, we will be doing our part to safeguard the wellbeing of the public and to a speedy return to normal operations for our industry.”
Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection Julia Farrugia Portelli praised the work that is done continuously by the authority especially in these trying times.
Farrugia Portelli said that the Ministry, together with the authority are “committed to ensuring the safety of the public so that once this is over, we will bounce back with higher levels of tourism.”
The Government reiterated its appeal to owners and management of catering establishments to cooperate and respect the applicable order of closure.
It also stressed, “so as not to defeat the scope of the measure, members of the general public are urged not to group outside establishments providing takeaway or delivery services and encouraged not to consume the food in close proximity to each other.”
Should anyone encounter any breaches the Government is requesting that they please inform the Authority via the helpline: 21692447.