Masses will resume as from mid June, respecting social distancing and limiting the number of persons. Details will be provided by the Archbishop.
Updated 1932
Prof Gauci says testing will be increased
Health Superintendent Prof Charmaine Gauci said testing will be strengthened as the remaining restrictive will be removed, while guidelines will provided to support the transition to the new normality. All outlets will be allowed to re-open with the necessary caution.
However, mass activities are not yet possible to reduce the risk. The principle of social distancing remains an important one. She re-assured viewers that as health authorities “we will remain with you”.
She said that there will be restrictions on the number of children allowed to attend childcare centres.
Updated 1923
We have won the war – Fearne
“We have won the war”, claimed Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne. “Other countries may have not, but the R-factor in Malta is low, at 0.5, this will therefore allow us to ease measures”. This confirms that the decisions taken in the past weeks and months were the correct ones, said the Health Minister. However, “we need to remain alert”, with the benefit the the health systems are in place to provide early warning alert in case of new risks, Fearne said. He re-iterated that the country has the necessary resources to tackle a new wave – or other epidemics.
The victory in the health sector can now be translated into the economic sector.
Updated 1911
PM confirms removal of all measures by Friday
PM Robert Abela is delivering a press conference.
He confirmed three key dates for the country.
This Friday 5th June will see the re-opening of a number of establishments and the relaxation of all measures introduced because of the coronavirus pandemic. Vulnerable workers will be required to return to work.
The following Monday (8th), Government will announce a “multi-milllion budget” to incentive businesses and investment.
On 1st July, the airport will re-open. There will be no testing or mandatory quarantine for persons arriving from the countries indicated.
Health will remain a priority, and will focus on the need for social distancing, hygiene and the wearing of masks.
Contact sports will not be allowed to take place.
Updated 1239
One new case, three recoveries
One new case of coronavirus was identified on Sunday, Health authorities confirmed. Less than 600 persons were tested. Number are typically lower on weekends, particularly Sunday.
Three persons have since recovered, lowering the country’s total active cases to 73.
Updated 1233
Today’s briefing by Prof Charmaine Gauci will not be held as scheduled at 1230 hrs. Sections of the press have reported that the Health Superintendent is scheduled to meet the Prime Minister shortly.
A joint press conference is expected later.
The briefing was called off just a few minutes before live transmission was expected to commence.
Updated 1046
UK, Italy not included in first list of countries where flights will be allowed to/from Malta
The Timesofmalta.com this morning reveals the first 16 countries where travel will be allowed as from 1st July. This list has not been officially confirmed. The full story is available here.
Italy and the UK are excluded.
The countries are: Iceland, Slovakia, Cyprus, Lithuania, Israel, Norway, Switzerland, Estonia, Denmark, Hungary, Luxembourg, Germany, Ireland, Finland and the Czech Republic.
The report also claims that according to its sources, Poland, Portugal and non-mainland Italy (Sicily and Sardinia) will be considered at a later stage.
Follow the latest from Malta here.
Updated 0852
MUMN accuses PM of falsely informing people Covid is over
The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses joined the chorus of disapproval with regards to the next round of easing of restrictions announced yesterday by the Prime Minister as well as the decision to grant an amnesty to those fined for contravening social distancing regulations.
The MUMN has challenged the Prime Minister to publish the strategy on the easing of the restrictions for the pandemic issued to his office by the Superintendent of Public Health. The Union said it had no trust that the PM was following public health advice. It described this approach as opportunistic and at the detriment of frontliners, the elderly and vulnerable persons.
The Union said that with the opening of the airport, all vulnerable people, hospital workers and the elderly are being put in unnecessary risk of their lives. The harshly-worded statement said that “Malta has a Prime Minister who issues amnesties to those who broke Covid measures, informs his people that Covid is over which is a totally a false statement and does nothing to protect the health care workers, the vulnerable and the elderly.”
Follow the latest from Malta here.
Updated 0848
Re-opening of airports against advice of public health experts – doctors
The Prime Minister’s decision to re-open Malta’s airport in a month’s time was met with disapproval by the Medical Association of Malta. The doctors’ union said that this decision went against the advice of public health experts and was not scientifically-based.
The doctors recalled that three persons lost their lives last week and local transmission was likely to increase with the arrival of tourists.
In a statement, doctors argued that “rushing to reverse the measures which have kept the virus in check, places additional risk to health, undermines public confidence and may be counterproductive to the economic recovery.”
The Union also expressed its disapproval for Robert Abela’s announcement related to the granting of an amnesty to people fined for infringing social distancing regulations, insisting that it didnt expect such a decision from a responsible government. “MAM believes in the rule of law and no politician should undermine the work of the police, of state prosecutors and the judiciary on any offence. There should be no rewards for those who are reckless and put other people’s lives at risk,” the statement said.
“Public health specialists in Malta have done a great job at controlling COVID-19 and deviations recommended by politicians represent an unnecessary gamble with lives of the Maltese”.
The Malta Association of Public Health Medicine and the Malta Environmental Health Officers Association have also issued statements to express their concern at Government’s announcement.
Follow the latest from Malta here.
Updated 0750
Chamber of Pharmacists says PM’s statement “an insult”
The Chamber of Pharmacists in a statement on social media said that declarations made by Prime Minister Robert Abela are “insulting towards the hard work carried out by pharmacists over the past months, with many of them risking their health to provide such an essential service”.
The Executive Council of the Chamber also expressed solidarity with other professionals, particularly the police force, in these circumstances.
Follow the latest from Malta here.
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Whether its celebrating fans ignoring social distancing, the re-opening of restaurants or amnesty for fines, sure thing is that there’s always room for some inflammatory debate on these islands.
The Prime Minister, on Sunday announced that there will be further lifting of measures including the opening of gyms and bars on Friday and the airport on July 1st. He also indicated that he wishes that there is a mechanism through which those fined for breaching restrictive measures, would seek for an amnesty. In his speech he indicated that this was to apply to those who were fined for queuing while buying flowers or vegetables from street hawkers.
While the re-opening of the airport had been the subject of much discussion over the previous weeks, it was actually the amnesty proposal that captured the imagination of many, with social media networks flooded with comments, generally disparaging. Various trade lobbies, including two police associations, the Malta Association of Public Health Medicine and the Malta Environmental Health Officers Association have also issued statements to express their disagreement at this proposal.
Prime Minister Abela also announced that today week a multi-million budget will be announced to support Malta’s economic recovery.
Further details on the easing of restrictions are expected later today.
No new cases of coronavirus were identified in the past 24 hours, with just under 1,000 people tested. Health authorities posted this updated on social media.
With nine persons having recovered during the same timeframe, Malta now has 75 active cases.
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