Non-essential travel between Malta and Gozo should be avoided and all passengers will be screened at the Mgarr and Cirkewwa terminals, Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri said on Friday.

Camilleri said all Coronavirus tests carried out in Gozo so far have been negative.

The minister said Gozo Channel ships are being disinfected every night. From Saturday morning, all passengers passing through the Cirkewwa and Mgarr terminals will be screened. Anyone showing any symptoms will be stopped from boarding.

This could lead to delays, he said, warning people to go to the terminals earlier than usual. Tourist boats will not be allowed to pick up or disembark people in Gozo. People can only cross via the Gozo Channel ferries.

People should only travel between Malta and Gozo for work, medical care or supply chain service purposes.

If there is a Covid-19 case in Gozo, the patient will be securely taken to Malta on board a chartered ferry, Camilleri said.

The authorities, together with the Gozo hospital, are ensuring that there are enough beds for the eventuality that the situation escalates, and Coronavirus patients have to be treated in Gozo.

Noting that up to 3,000 Gozitans work in Malta, the Minister urged employers to consider teleworking. Public sector employees allowed to work from home, he added.

Camilleri said it is not excluded that more drastic measures will be introduced in the coming days.