5 comments so far.Restaurants, snackbars and kiosks now takeaway only, fines increased
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New mitigation measures to help curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, have been announced today in a joint press conference with Prime Minister Robert Abela, Health Minister Chris Fearne and Superintendent of Public Health Prof Charmaine Gauci.
It comes after a surge in new Covid-19 cases, with a record 362 new cases reported today and 4 deaths. There has also been pressure for new measures and a step-up in enforcement, in statements from the doctors, nurses and other entities.
The Prime Minister has said that the variant – which is more and more widespread, is the reason behind the rise in case numbers, among other factors.
He has announced that new measures, which come into affect from tomorrow – Friday, until the 11th of April, include restaurants, snackbars (cafes) and kiosks to be open for takeaway only – These will get a full wage supplement. Those restaurants that are in either hotels or guest houses will be only allowed to be open for residents of such establishments.
Fines for breaking these rules have also been doubled from €3,000 to €6,000. He added that the authorities will continue to strengthen enforcement with more resources.
The wage supplement has been extended until June.
He reiterated that nightclubs, bars and band clubs will remain closed.
Mass events are prohibited other than weddings and religious events.
The Prime Minster said that for event organised for profit for the masses, any operator breaking the rules will be subject to a €6,000 fine.
Private household events must only include 4 different households. €100 has been imposed for anyone found breaking this measure.
Rules which enforce that licenced accommodation establishments cannot take more guests than the number of beds licenced will once again be put into effect.
Contact sport for young people up to the age of 17 has now been halted.
Dr Fearne has stressed on the importance of getting vaccinated. Frontliners have now all been vaccinated.
He also said that public service workers and those in the private sector, should work from home as much as is possible.
He warned that the UK variant of Covid-19 has a higher transmission rate, this has been found even among children.
The Health Minister said that all hospital visits have also been stopped.
Prof Gauci appealed to the public for increased vigilance, she added that more than 7,000 people are in quarantine in Malta and Gozo.
this is utter nonsense! the government has to stop to fear mongering!
the maltese islands have a population of approximately 450,000 , the uk vaccinates this number in two days .the government should pull its finger out .i bet all the members of government have had theirs .
Gozo Alex – I fear you are mistaken – as far as I can see the situation is dire and what we need is a short, sharp lockdown to bring the numbers down before this gets completely out of control. Vaccination is not proceeding quickly enough and people are not observing the rules so it is the only answer.
The vaccination program seems to be very slow train more people to administer the vaccine such as Army personnel also use retired Doctors and Nurses
I’d like to know how many of these “sick” people have already been vaccinated. In Isreal it’s the vaccinated that are getting sick and dying.