Authorities on the island of Malta ordered the closure of nightclubs and night bars on Monday in an attempt to stem the rise in contamination with the new coronavirus.
Health Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne announced the measure, which will come into effect on Wednesday. Discotheques, night bars, concert halls but also sports clubs will have to close their doors until further notice. Gatherings in public places are limited to fifteen people. Restaurants and stores remain open for the time being. The mask will be compulsory in closed public places.
The number of contaminations continues to climb
“All of these measures are based on the principle of social distancing. We felt that it was necessary to strengthen them in several areas, ”explained the Director of Health, Charmaine Gauci.
The number of contaminations on the Mediterranean island has continued to climb for a month: Malta currently has 607 cases of Covid-19, almost double that during the first wave of the virus, in March and April.
Two well-identified outbreaks are at the origin of this resurgence of infections, a party in a hotel, and a traditional village meal.
Holidaymakers who have stayed on the island being considered at risk
Malta has recorded a total of 1,375 cases for nine deaths since the onset of the disease on the island on March 7. Two people are currently hospitalized in intensive care.
An “orange list” will also be put in place in the coming hours, identifying the countries from which arriving travelers will have to present a negative test carried out in the last 72 hours. Those who are unable to produce this document will need to take a test or be isolated in quarantine.
In several European countries (such as Italy), travelers from Malta are tested upon arrival, with holidaymakers who have stayed on the island considered to be at risk.
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