The government has announced that a temporary ban on all visits to elderly homes.

In a statement, the Family Ministry, as well as the Parliamentary Secretariat for the Elderly said that this order was for all government, church and private elderly homes, as well as St Vincent de Paul.

The government statement read that only people recommended by the nursing officer, or a doctor, or the head of the home in exceptional cases will be allowed in. This choice, the statement read, will be determined on the basis of the condition of the resident, which condition would be justified as being exceptional.

This was being done as a precaution in light of the Coronavirus situation.

Aside from this, before entering, every visitor will be monitored. These procedures will also apply for homes of people with disability.

Everyone is asked to understand that at this time, all the necessary measures need to be taken to safeguard the elderly and vulnerable persons, the statement read.

It was also reported that Malta's prison won't accept any visitors for the next seven days as a precautionary measure.