Although the new regulations will come into force as of next January, they are being launched now, Dr Zammit Dimech said, to give the establishments in question enough time to comply.

These regulations were last amended in 1991 and therefore were due for reconsideration to reflect the change that the industry had undergone.

In fact, the new law for the first time makes provision for the classification of kiosks, both mobile and fixed; as well as restaurants, snack bars, nightclubs and bars, which had already been classified in the previous regulations.

The minister said the regulations had been made in a user-friendly “checklist” format to make self-assessment and compliance simpler. The respective authorities will make random inspections at least once a year, he said. Administrators at these outlets had the tools to check their level of compliance in advance.

At the moments there are 2,964 licensed catering establishments that fall under this act – 623 restaurants, 373 snack bars, 1,906 bars and 19 fixed and 43 mobile kiosks.

Establishments in all these categories will be categorised with restaurants, snack bars and bars having first, second and third class classifications while nightclubs, discotheques and kiosks have a single “standard” classification.

The regulations cover the general appearance of the establishments, but also go into details that, the minister said, were not present in previous laws, such as that the delivery of goods must not disturb patrons while they are being served.