At a press briefing on Monday, the World Health Organisation leaders said that there is no indication that the coronavirus is seasonal and it could bounce back any time.

“If you take pressure off the virus, the virus will bounce back. That’s what we will say to countries in Europe – keep the pressure on,” stated Mike Ryan, WHO executive director of the emergencies program.

This is reflected in Health Minister Chris Fearne’s announcement of new restrictive measures which will continue to help bring the situation under control. It is also imperative to note Prime Minister Robert Abela’s statement that: “Adding more panic and alarm won’t do anything, we have an excellent healthcare system, and we also have the advantage of months of experience this time round.”

We have to acknowledge the recent surge in positive cases. This can be a cause for valid concern, unfortunately not helped at all by the spreading of fake news, but I echo the Prime Minister’s statement that we have an excellent health system which I am sure is taking all the necessary precautions and is guiding us accordingly. It is up to us to take note and stick to the professional guidance.

We are in the middle of the summer season and whilst it is reasonable for us all to enjoy this period, it is also of the utmost importance that we understand that the success of preventative measures starts with each and every one of us, by complying with the instructions issued by the competent Health Authorities . We should all follow the simple and basic safeguards, adhere to the social distancing and mask wearing rules and use hand sanitizers - although, let’s be frank, personal hygiene is an integral part of our daily lives and should not just be COVID related!

I understand that certain restrictions are upsetting, especially where family weddings and gatherings are concerned, and those which also affected our traditional village feasts. Our feasts are more than just a religious celebration since they bring out the character of the locality, of the people. These feasts are truly a cultural melting pot for every town and village in Malta. However, this is a different summer than all the previous ones. Our duty entails that we shoulder responsibilities and safeguard ourselves, our loved ones and our communities for everyone’s benefit.

This brings to light certain situations which I condemn. Take the incident aboard the Gozo Channel ferry where an officer was assaulted by passengers who refused to wear a mask. These instances definitely do not help the general situation. I thoroughly condemn all acts from those who are throwing caution to the wind.

During this period I empathise with employers and employees because, regrettably, this new reality is presenting several difficulties, although one must commend their resilience and quick adaptation to the circumstances. Such an approach is essential, along with the recovery package provided by both the local Government and the EU.

Another aspect I’d like to address is tourism, one of our country’s main economic pillars, sustaining a large amount of jobs and generating a high percentage of income. As an MEP I work on tourism policy, and I have seen first-hand the impact on all European countries, resulting in the closing of borders as a safeguard to counter the spread of COVID-19. Once restrictions started to be eased, we were faced with the challenge of fostering trust in travelling and tourism.

As some countries are now imposing restrictions on travelling from Malta, we need to work harder on ensuring trust also by adhering to health precautions, giving visitors and ourselves more peace of mind.  Whilst the importance of internal tourism cannot be underestimated, it is a reality that external tourism is essential to our economy.

These are unprecedented times. Experts all around the globe are united in their opinion that this virus will feature in our lives for the foreseeable future. With COVID-19 dominating our lives and also affecting our mental health, the urge to return to our known way of life is completely understandable. The main thing in all this is the balance between being responsible and taking precautions on the one hand, and being practical and sensibile on the other.

Difficult choices had to be made and must continue to be made. A positive result will only be attained if we are all protagonists in being sensible and adhering to the instructions of the Authorities.