The number of new cases of COVID-19 that were confirmed in the last week, has led the Government together with the Department of Health to re-introduce a number of measures. In a press conference Minister of Health and the Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Chris Fearne has announced that there can be no more than 10 people in the same group in public places.

This means that during an event only one person every four-square meters is allowed. The Minister went on to say that anyone attending a public event must leave their mobile number so that contact tracing can be carried out in the event of new cases from that event.

Any venue wherein an activity of more than 100 people is being held, must carry out a risk assessment before the activity takes place. The Minister made it clear that those who cannot adhere to the standards will not be given the necessary permit.

Dr Fearne also announced that in agreement with the Archbishop’s Curia, as from tomorrow, the festa marches will no longer take place. With regard to doctors and nurses, Fearne said discussions will continue in the near future. He also said that from tomorrow the numbers of immigrants with Covid-19 will be included in the list of active cases.

Minister Fearne said that two factors that were instrumental in our success in recent months in light of the COVID-19 pandemic were social distance and the large number of tests.

Also present was Superintendent of Public Health Charmaine Gauci who listed the cases in recent days and reminded that the country was ready even for the cases of immigrants with Covid-19.