Update with MUT statement below: In a joint press conference at the Castille with Health Minister Chris Fearne and Superintendent of Public Health Prof Charmaine Gauci on Wednesday morning, Prime Minister Prime Minister Robert Abela has given details of the exit plan out of the quasi lockdown, for which the current measures are due to end on Sunday.

The Prime Minister said that the priority are health, education and the elderly, adding that primary schools, kindergartens and childcare centres will reopen on Monday, however post-secondary schools will continue online.

Middle schools will start back next Wednesday, with Form 3-5 classes (Secondary Schools) returning on Friday, 16th of April.

Visits to the elderly in homes will resume from Monday, as will elective surgeries.

Non-essential shops and services, can reopen on the 26th of April.

No dates have been given for the reopening of bars or restaurants, this depends on circumstances and developments, the Prime Minister said, and will be announced at a later date, the same applies to the vouchers.

4 people will be able to gather in public as from the 26th of April. Abela noted that restrictive measures would return if it is found there is pressure on hospitals.

Organised sport is still not allowed, the same applies to weddings, however, he said that there is the possibility that weddings may be allowed from the 1st of June.

• 12th April: Reopening of childcare centres, kindergarten and primary schools. Elective surgeries and visits to elderly care homes will also resume.

• 14th April: Reopening of middle schools.

• 16th April: Reopening of secondary schools.

• 26th April: Non-essential shops and services will reopen. The two-person limit on public gatherings will increase to four.

He said that they are remaining cautious on the reopening completely of the country, Abela warned that, “now is not the time to relax.” The Prime Minister also stressed that with all other measures remaining in place, there will be a continued emphasis on enforcement.

He confirmed that the government plans to reopen the country to tourism on the 1st of June.

Health Minister Chris Fearne advised that health is the government’s top priority, and speaking about the vaccination programme he explained that; Those who have received one dose of the vaccine equate as follows: 95% aged 80 and over; 86% of the 70s and over; 76% of the 60s and over and 86% of the vulnerable cohort.

He said that currently in Gozo there is now 1 person in ITU receiving treatment, down from 5 last week. ITU numbers have also dropped in Malta, which is why authorities are starting elective surgery, Dr Fearne said.

He went on to say that “we need to remain cautious, firstly for our health, but also that we continue to adhere to the restrictive measures from the authorities, so as to ensure that Malta keeps on the green list for other countries.”

The Health Minister said that he will be discussing the AstraZeneca issue with the EMA and other European Health Ministers this evening after the EMA has announced its decision on the vaccine.

Dr Fearne said that churches will be reopened for Mass on the 18th of April, with mitigation measures in place.

Prof Gauci has explained that scientific evidence was the key factor on the measures being released. The seven-day moving average is currently 54, while the positivity rate is 2.6.

Update MUT statement:

The MUT, said that the announcement on the reopening of schools had been made while it was still in discussions with Minister Caruana, and therefore the details of the announced decision do not include what was being discussed.

The MUT said that it agreed with the ‘staggering’ of back-to-school entry, and “was ready to continue discussing the details with the Ministry in light of what has been announced.”

The union note that it is also awaiting a discussion in order to announce the measures that will be taken so that the examinations, including the SEC and Matriculation (intermediate and advanced level) can be carried out.

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