Prime Minister Robert Abela, in a press conference today has announced new measures in a bid to help stop the spread of Covid-19, which will come in affect on Monday.

He said that during February, restaurants, snackbars and kiosks must remain closed from 11pm until 6am. The Prime Minister added that the aid would be doubled to €2.2 million for those businesses affected and that vouchers to the public would be issued “when the time is right.”

He stated that Malta Tourism Authority inspectors would be carrying out checks on holiday rental accommodation, saying that the number of people found staying there must not exceed the number of beds listed on the operator’s licence.

Health Minister Chris Fearne, also speaking at the press conference, warned that authorities would be very strict with those renting out properties, “it is the responsibility of the licence holder to make sure that numbers are correct, he said, and if not, the licence could be revoked.”

As regards travel to Gozo, in particular over the carnival weekend period, Abela explained that those who will be travelling by car will be “encouraged” to stay in their vehicles while on the ferry.

Between the 11th and 17th of February, there will also be temperature checks carried out on people travelling by ferry, which will be operating at half capacity, the Prime Minister said.

For those who are a walking passengers and boarding the ferry, LESA officials will ensure that everyone is wearing a mask and respecting social distance

He added that in the same period “there will be a clear commitment that enforcement authorities, including the Police, will conduct additional patrols in Victoria, Nadur, Marsalforn and Xlendi. While Transport Malta and LESA will add special patrols in other villages to ensure compliance with all Covid-19 rules.”

Abela also expressed a wish for schools to postpone the 2-day break that normally takes place in February, to later in the year, this, he said, is currently under discussion.

The Gozo Tourism Association in a statement yesterday referred to recent calls “aimed especially towards the Gozitan self catering accommodation operators claiming that they are responsible for overcrowding in the rented premises.”

The GTA argued that it is “unfair to hold the self-catering accommodation lessors responsible for the number of people in the rented private properties. The majority of the licensed self catering operators are booking their units according to their licensed number of beds.”

The Gozo Tourism Association went on to say that it is “practically impossible for operators to police their rented property, thus it is insensitive to propose to fine the operators if their rented accommodation is overcrowded.”

It added that it “rests solely on the holiday maker to be responsible and act diligently at all times while enjoying a holiday break.”

Photo by Alain Salvary

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