Several pharmacists have been advised by pharmacy owners that, as from Monday, they are to wear face masks to protect them from the Coronavirus, The Malta Independent is informed, despite health authorities saying this is not necessary.
As the Coronavirus hit Malta on Saturday, individuals who feel unwell may frequent their nearest pharmacy to purchase medicines. Pharmacists working in Naxxar, St Julian’s pharmacies, amongst others, were instructed to wear a face mask, as a precaution, as from Monday.
The instructions, however, did not stem from the health authorities, with a government spokesperson confirming that no such directive was issued.
The spokesperson also said that, as the Ministry for Health had advised, a pharmacists should serve clients from behind the counter, keeping a one-metre distance.
The authorities have told people who develop symptoms after travelling from areas with high sustained transmission not to go to hospitals, health centres or pharmacies, but to call the helpline. A new helpline, with number 111, has now been set up.
The first case of Coronavirus was reported in Malta on Saturday. The patient is a 12-year-old girl who was recently in Italy. When the girl and her family returned to Malta, they heeded the authorities’ advice and self-quarantined.
“The children did not go to school and the parents did not go to work or leave the house,” the Minister for Health said. “Their contact with other people was minimal.”
The Health Promotion has said that in Malta, there is no need to wear face masks. Wearing a mask in a preventive manner is not recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a means to avoid contamination with the COVID-19 virus. Face masks help people, who are already infected with the virus, from spreading it others.
Hand sanitizers out of stock
Due to the virus hitting Malta’s shores, hand sanitizers have become a scarce commodity, with many pharmacies noting that they are out of stock, with no idea when they will be re-stocked. It appears people are bulk-buying these sanitizers.
Many have also noted that face masks are also still out of stock.