Government restricts nonessential travel between Malta and Gozo

The government has restricted travel between Malta and Gozo on the Gozo Channel, only allowing people to travel between the islands for specific reasons as from Friday morning.

Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri announced a new set of measures to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus aimed at avoiding non-essential travel between the two islands.

The minister said that nonessential travel between the islands is to be discouraged, and that the majority of people are following the directives laid down by the government and the health authorities. Some, however, are not, he said.

“Now is not the time for weekend breaks,” he said, referring to weekend visits to Gozo.

Camilleri said that following discussions with the competent authorities, the ministry has drawn up a number of new measures that will affect travel between the islands.

Currently, every Gozo Channel passenger ( travelling either way) is being screened for virus symptoms before being allowed to board, he said.

He said that as of Friday morning, “what was being recommended will now be made mandatory.” As such, passengers will be screened to identify the reason for their travel between the islands.

Travel between the islands will only be allowed for work, for medical reasons and to visit relatives in hospital, for the transportation of goods, for visits to relatives and for the return of people to their ordinary residence.

He said that travel for leisure or entertainment purposes will not be allowed.

Camilleri said that these are unprecedented measures, but are in everyone's interest.

In a separate instance, Transport Malta yesterday informed the public that the decision to suspend driving lessons is being revoked with immediate effect. Driving lessons can resume but with the restrictive and enforced prevention measures which were announced a few days prior to suspension.