Airport, entertainers welcome reduction in Covid restrictions, want more measures lifted

The Malta International Airport (MIA) and the Malta Entertainment Industry and Arts Association (MEIA) have both welcomed the reduction in Covid-19 restrictions.

In their statement, the MEIA said that mass rallies during the electoral campaign had exposed the “two weights, two measures” way in which event regulations were drafted and said that all restrictions should be removed on indoor events as well.

They also criticised the MUMN for their reaction to the announcement, questioning the timing of this reaction “a day after a month of daily mass gatherings”.

The MUMN earlier on Monday warned that some 150 Covid-19 patients were receiving treatment at Mater Dei, with the hospital on the verge of breaking point as a result.

However, the MEIA insisted that the country “needs to get back to normality”.

“The daily Covid scaremongering needs to stop

once and for all,” the association said.

The MIA meanwhile welcomed government’s announcement in relation to PCR tests and recovery certificates as the first step towards the complete removal of travel restrictions.

The MIA also welcomed government’s announcement that persons travelling from a red country will be allowed entry into Malta with a negative PCR test or a recovery certificate as of next week, as the first step towards the complete lifting of the country’s Covid-19 restrictions on travel.

In principle, all persons wishing to travel to our islands from one of more than 100 countries on Malta’s red list, can now do so regardless of their vaccination status, the MIA pointed out.

“However, it is worth highlighting that PCR tests are an inconvenience (as well as an added cost, which can run into hundreds of euro for a travelling family) which can prompt potential visitors to choose another destination for their summer holiday,” the airport said.

This is particularly the case, it said, given that a number of European countries, including Switzerland, the Netherlands, Ireland and the United Kingdom, have recently completely removed all restrictions on travel.

Now that the peak holiday season is only months away, the MIA appealed to government to give visibility, to both the industry and potential visitors, of when the remaining Covid-19 travel restrictions, including the red and dark red colour system, will be completely removed.