Face mask restrictions to be relaxed on 1 July

The Health Ministry has confirmed that measures relating to the wearing of face masks will be relaxed on 1 July for those who are fully vaccinated, while bars, restaurants, band clubs, and snack bars will, from Monday, be allowed to remain open until 2am as long as their licence allows it.

The Health Ministry said in a statement that a number of measures relating to Covid-19 will be relaxed as from Monday 28 June.

Foremost amongst those is that as from that day, restaurants, bars, snack bars, and band clubs will be allowed to remain open until 2am as long as their license allows it. Establishments with a license which requires them to close earlier must follow the time specified on their license.

Under the current measures, establishments will be allowed to remain open until midnight.

Sea transport vessels will, from Monday, be allowed to operate at 65% of their licensed capacity.

Waterparks, meanwhile, will also be allowed to operate as from Monday.

Contact sports for children under the age of 17 will be permitted as from Monday as well, and fitness classes can also be organised from that day as long the protocols issued by health authorities are followed.

From Monday, visiting hours at Mater Dei Hospital will also increase, with visitors permitted between 11:30 and 13:00 and between 15:00 and 20:00.

Authorities also confirmed that because the number of Covid-19 cases has remained stable, all those who are fully vaccinated and in possession of a vaccine certificate will be allowed not to wear a face mask while outdoors.

This is only as long as they are alone or in a group of two with another person who is also fully vaccinated.

Children under the age of 12 can also remain without a face mask as long as they are accompanied by a person who is vaccinated against Covid-19.