The Gozo Business Chamber has said that it agrees with the approach adopted by the Government for a gradual and staggered opening of businesses and other services.

However, the Chamber stressed that Gozo will still continue to be “negatively affected because of the restrictive measures to board the Gozo ferries.”

In a statement on Thursday, the GBC said during the present situation Gozo’s economy has been buoyed by the domestic tourism sector, which helped in some small measure to make up for some of the heavy losses the tourism sector has experienced.

This sector has stopped completely since December, and crucial periods such as Carnival and Easter have been lost, the Chamber said.

It said that as highlighted on other occasions, this continues to show the dependence of Gozo on tourism.

The Chamber went on to say that it is aware of the critical moment being experienced, and hoped that the measures being adopted will have the “long term effect of sustaining a gradual reopening while ensuring the safety and well being of the community at large.”

This is a moment where everyone is important, the GBC said. “One must understand that all the sectors have suffered greatly, though some have suffered more than others even within the same sectors.”

It pointed out that this applies to small bars, which are often family run concerns, and which have been closed for longer periods.

The Chamber said that “in its considerations the Health Authorities should note that, even if certain measures are reintroduced, the following points should be taken into consideration:

• “The categorisation of what constitutes a non-essential service, given the fact that established health protocols are in place, and therefore some activities can remain open, if the existing protocols are implemented.

This applies for example to retail outlets selling soft furnishings, and furniture showrooms and shops, which have been closed while other similar related retail activities have been left open;

• The continued monitoring of health measures and established protocols to ensure that the measures being adopted yield the targeted results; and

• The obligation to have a PCR Covid-19 negative result when coming from abroad to be extended for a longer period, and not depending on the health situation of particular countries.”

The Chamber stated that “this would ensure a safe and secure reopening of the tourism sector, and that the positive measures adopted in order to stimulate one sector, do not impinge negatively on other sectors.”

It concluded by saying that “the tourism sector merits a clear plan which can be formulated if safety measures are implemented.”

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