Mass activities to be restricted as new case emerges

Prime Minister Robert Abela announced yesterday afternoon that mass activities are to be restricted as the country deals with the spread of COVID-19.

As of yesterday, five people had been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus in Malta.

Addressing the media after a Cabinet meeting, the prime minister said that outdoor mass activities shall be restricted to events catering to no more than 2,000 people. The Cabinet, he said, would also suggest that St Patrick’s Day not be celebrated in St Julian’s on 17 March. The St Julian’s Local Council later announced that it would not be issuing any permits for the event.

Indoor activities will be restricted to 750 people.

Football games, however, would not be affected as matches typically draw fewer than 2,000 spectators, Abela said. It was later clarified that ticket sales would be restricted if this number was expected to be exceeded.

Asked on what basis these calculations had been made, Abela insisted reiterated his trust in the health authorities, especially

Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci, who plays an active role in such decisions.

On a similar note, this newsroom asked if measures for public transport sanitisation, including the Gozo ferry, would be carried out. Prime Minister Abela explained that this was something that had been discussed, as more than 750 people could be on board the same ferry at the same time. However, the Cabinet had been assured by the health authorities that since vessels had open spaces, the risk of contracting the virus was not something to worry about.

He said that trucks drivers carrying merchandise arriving by sea from Italy would be checked and only two people would be allowed in with every vehicle.

Abela again urged people not to travel unless strictly necessary.

The prime minister said that special arrangements were being made for people returning from Italy, in light of travel restrictions previously announced.

People arriving from Italy were being urged to follow a 14-day self-quarantine procedure, he said. Those who had arrived from Italy over the past two weeks were also to spend the remainder of those 14 days in quarantine, he said.

Abela said: “This virus is having an effect all over the world, including Malta, so we have created a task force made up of ministers and professionals focused on the economy and tourism of our country, so that they can decide on the appropriate precautionary measures necessary.”

He rebuffed speculation surrounding a lack of protective attire for health centre personnel, insisting he had been assured by the health authorities about the efficacy of such gear.

With regard to schools, he explained that panic should not overcome the reality of the situation, which he said was under control. He added that Superintendent Gauci had told him it was not necessary for schools to be closed unless there were further developments.

Asked if the government would impose mandatory quarantine if people failed to follow protocol, Abela said that the government had been advised that voluntary quarantine would suffice for the time being. However, he urged people to follow the medical advice given by professionals.

He explained that measures implemented so far would remain in place indefinitely .

“The government’s priority is the well-being of the Maltese. We will take all measures necessary, even drastic ones, to safeguard the well-being of the Maltese,” the prime minister said, reiterating a previous statement made on Monday.

He concluded by stating that everything was under control and that, rather than panic, everyone must have courage at this time.

Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne also addressed Parliament.

He stressed that the measures being taken by the government were necessary. He said that while it was wrong not to take the right measures when required, taking unnecessary measures was just as bad.

He insisted the government had a detailed plan.

He addressed concerns surrounding public transport, stating that none of the coronavirus cases so far had been the result of an outbreak within the local community. If this were to eventually occur, he said, then measures relating to public transport would need to be assessed. The minister highlighted the country’s preparedness to combat the virus, saying that the health authorities were ready and vigilant in order to remain one step ahead of the virus.

The measures taken so far include screening of all passengers and swabbing of every suspected case (around 400 such tests have been carried out, with five returning positive).

Fearne said that the advice of the health authorities was for those returning from infected countries to be quarantined for 15 days, and for travel to be curtailed unless essential. He said that at Mater Dei Hospital more isolation rooms had been prepared, bringing the total to 18, the ITU had been enlarged, and preparatory measures had been taken on the emergency ward. Specific laboratory tests were also being carried out to help detect the virus early. In addition, he said, an isolation centre with 12 beds had been prepared outside Mater Dei Hospital, and Sir Paul Boffa Hospital in Floriana was being prepared to handle 60 isolation beds. He also mentioned the opening of a new testing centre in Luqa.