People heading to the St James Capua Hospital for the Covid-19 swab test were met with a queue of people outside the entrance with no social distancing being observed on Monday morning.

This, according to the hospital’s CEO, occurs each Monday after the weekend.

Capua Hospital is not one of the government's swabbing hubs, but offers swab tests on a private basis.

The test, which takes place in a tent set up right outside the hospital’s main entrance, saw people wearing masks in a close group. The Malta Independent received a call from a concerned hospital visitor and went on site.

This newsroom contacted the Hospital’s CEO Maria Bugeja, who said that social distancing should have been observed. She said that the test is done by appointment, however people are just turning up for the test, “and we are being swamped every Monday.” She then said she will look into it.

A few minutes later some personnel came outside and moved people away from each other and establishing social distancing between the people in the queue.

Social distancing and mask wearing have been two of the main guidelines pushed by the health authorities in the fight against the spread of Covid-19.