The Malta Entertainment and Arts Association (MEIA) has said that with the Carnival break approaching, and with holiday accommodation in Gozo reportedly nearly fully-booked, it will support any restrictions which the health authorities deem appropriate, to control the rate of new Covid-19 cases.
“Malta’s active number of cases remain at an all-time high following the festive season.” it said.
In a statement, the Association highlighted that “despite various measures in place, and with sectors, such as the Arts and Entertainment, represented by MEIA, in complete lockdown ever since the first cases started being registered early last year,” it said that, “our forecast indicates that the situation for the sectors will remain unchanged until late September this year.”
MEIA explained that it is taking such a position following its ongoing communication with the Health Authorities, adding that it will continue to support the measures and guidelines of the Health Authorities.
The Association also reiterated that it is the responsibility of every individual to reduce the spread of the virus.
“MEIA members need to be able to look forward to a period of time, in the near future, in which theatres can run at full capacity, in which weddings can be held in the way we all grew to love, in which festivals can attract crowds without feeling unsafe; in which the arts can be taught in the optimal conditions we are all used to; and in which the whole country can truly enjoy and reap the benefits of a fully functioning Arts and Entertainment Industry,” it said.
MEIA concluded by saying that to achieve this, it “strongly believes an effort must be made by every person to avoid further hardship for industries like ours that will be the last to recover. This collective effort must not be compromised or jeopardised.”
Photo by Alain Salvary