The Malta Association of Public Health Medicine has said that “as the last few days’ published figures show, there is still sustained spread of Covid-19 within the community. “It is a simple and sad fact that the pandemic is not over.”

In a statement, the MAPHM urged the public “not to participate in activities that put you and your loved ones at risk. These include parties, feasts, and any other activity where you might be surrounded by many people in close proximity.”

It stressed that “the best thing to do is to stay away from all activities and places where people are not made to wear masks or are not keeping a safe distance from each other.”

The Association pointed out that there are dozens of countries where the number of new cases was low for weeks like in Malta, and they are now in a full-blown second wave which is worse than the first, or quickly getting there. “If we are not careful, we will risk undoing all the sacrifices that we have made over the past few months,” it said.

The Association stated that “it is unfair that the irresponsible behaviour of the few, enabled by the government’s inaction to adequately regulate or completely ban high-risk activities, puts the health and livelihood of the rest of us in danger.”

“All we can do as responsible citizens to safeguard our health and that of the vulnerable in our families and in society is to avoid those activities which are unessential and during which coronavirus transmission is more likely,” MAPHM said.

The Association highlighted the following key principles when out of your home: Maintain a physical distance of at least 2 metres from others; Meticulous and regular hand hygiene using soap and water or a hand sanitiser containing at least 70% alcohol for 30 seconds; and Use masks and/ or visors when carrying out activities within the community.

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