In a press conference on Thursday morning, Health Minister Chris Fearne and Superintendent of Public Health Charmaine Gauci gave an update on the Covid-19 situation.

This comes after a surge in new Covid-19 cases, with a record number of 582 reported and pressure from the nurses union and Public Health doctors to take action before ”it is too late,” saying that Mater Dei Hospital is in ”crisis.”

The Health Minister confirmed that the first two cases of the Omicron variant had been detected in the Mater Dei labs during the past hours, and were from people who had tested positive days previously, leading them to believe that the increase in community transmission was from the variant.

He explained that while Omicron is far more transmissible, evidence does suggest that it is not more severe, with protection for the public from the booster vaccine. In Malta and Gozo 41% have received this dose, the majority of which are the elderly.

As from Monday, the 27th of December, anyone aged over 18 will be able to register to receive the booster dose, Dr Fearne said.

He advised that 53 people are currently being treated in Mater Dei Hospital, with 3 in ITU.

The Health Minister went on to say that the vaccine certificate for those who have only received 2 doses of the jab will  be valid for 3 months as from the 17th of January. Anyone who has had 3 doses will have a certificate valid for 9 months.

As from the 17th of January, Dr Fearne said that it will be mandatory that a person present a valid vaccine certificate to enter restaurants, bars, clubs, snack bars, gyms, movie theatres, theatres, casinos and bingo halls, sporting events, pools, spas and saunas and organised events.

However, exemption will be granted to children under the age of 12 who can attend these places without the need to show the vaccine certificate, provided they are accompanied by vaccinated adults.

It is planned that schools will reopen after the festive holidays, the Health Minister said.

Dr Fearne also announced new measures which will come into effect as from the 27th of December and will stand until the 17th of January, these include that seated events will only be allowed with the exception of weddings and funerals, these can continue under existing measures in place.

Also from Monday, all establishments must close by 1am, if their licence allows for them to be open until that hour, sporting events can be held, but will be behind closed doors.

Hospital visiting hours at Mater Dei will be reduced to 1 hour a day, however those at homes for the elderly will remain unchanged, as majority of residents will have received their booster dose.

Prof Charmaine Gauci said that 7,000 Covid-19 tests were taken on Wednesday and that currently there are 6,500 people in quarantine, including travellers from countries on the red list. anyone who had tested positive and their contacts.

She added that to date the 7-day moving average of new cases was 392.

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