Updated 1811
Restrictions for Malta-Gozo travel
Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri announced a number of restrictions for travelling between Malta and Gozo.
It will only be possible, as from this Friday, to board the ferry for reasons related to employment, medical issues, cargo trips, visiting family members, visiting relatives who are currently in hospital and to return to one’s own residence.
Updated 1238
13 new cases registered today, eight-year old among new patients
In her daily briefing, Prof Charmaine Gauci announced that 13 new cases were identified in the past 24 hours, resulting from 563 swabs. These 13 patients are all in good condition.
This takes Malta’s tally to one case short of 170. Eight of the new cases concern local transmission, five of which all relate to the same cluster of a person who was reporting to work despite experiencing symptoms. Over 6,900 swabs have been taken so far.
An eight year old girl and an elderly couple in their Seventies have contracted the infection through family members previously diagnosed with the virus.
Most of the travel-related cases relate to people returning from the United Kingdom as well as one from Morocco.
Prof Gauci noted the increase in locally transmitted cases, justifying new restrictive measures taken yesterday. She appealed for the public to stay inside today despite being a public holiday with fine weather.
Updated 1143
Coronavirus cases in Malta expected to increase – DPM Chris Fearne
The authorities are expecting a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in Malta in the coming days. Deputy PM Chris Fearne said this while being interviewed on 103’s breakfast show, explaining that this is the normal process which happens in a pandemic.
Fearne spoke about the strong emotions felt by all those involved, including the authorities, medical professionals and many others when following the overwhelming situation in foreign hospitals. Many people involved in combating this crisis are working up to 20 hours a day, and the best way to respect this huge effort is for the rest of the population to stay inside as much as possible.
Updated 1149
Chamber welcomes additional help
The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry welcomes the addition of more sectors in the list of businesses that will be helped by Government in view of the current COVID-19 crisis, following extensive lobbying efforts on behalf of its members.
The Chamber had in the last days been in talks with Government Authorities to represent the interests of operators from a number of fields such as retail, the film industry and English language teaching schools among others. The initial lists of sectors that were eligible for assistance by Government excluded sectors that were being affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
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It’s Freedom Day in Malta.
Never like today, in recent history, we had a better opportunity to appreciate what freedom means. We at Corporate Dispatch would like to remind you to keep safe and resist temptations to spend time outside today unless necessity demands so.
As from today, it will not be possible to gather in groups of four or more. Fines of 100 euro each will apply for individuals flaunting this new directive, announced by Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri yesterday evening.
Malta now has 156 cases of coronavirus-infected patients. Despite relatively low numbers recorded over the past few days, the Authorities have warned that the worst may still yet to come – hence precaution and safety remain paramount.
Meanwhile, Parliament yesterday approved a special bill authorising Government to secure a 2 billion euro loan required to provide the necessary assistance related to the health and economic impact of Covid-19.
We’ll keep updating you with any developments throughout the day.
CDENews
