The announcement made Thursday for a partial lockdown is a good measure, but the government should have taken it earlier, PN Shadow Health Minister Stephen Spiteri said today.

He was referring to a government decision to encourage people aged over 65 years of age and chronically ill people to stay at home.

“If the government had closed Malta’s borders earlier, the country would not be in this state. We would not have so many virus cases,” he said. He said that the government must anticipate what is to come and to learn what is happening in other countries, to ensure that Malta does not have the same amount of tragedies. 

“This is a fight against time, and it is important that the government works on measures to ensure that Malta does not suffer like other countries. The government must be prepared; we must have enough beds and ventilators.” Spiteri said that it is important that those suffering from chronic disease, diabetes or heart issues are still provide their medication and are taken care of.

“We all have to be responsible, follow the directives, we are responsible and observe every step we take and as much as possible avoid crowds, situations which we can get the virus and we practice social distancing.”

We will see an increase in suicide due to this pandemic

PN MP Mario Galea has called for an immediate setting up of a 24/7 helpline for people suffering from mental health problems due to isolation and anxiety. “We will see a drastic increase in mental health issues, and we will see people suffering and a spike in suicide,” said Galea.

He praised the works of Crisis Intervention Helpline, a 24/7 helpline for those suffering from mental health.  He said that the pandemic has made people lose their routine and brought them out of their comfort zone. “We have a lot of uncertainty, uncertainty of our health, our employment, our future, and this pandemic has caused a great deal of anxiety and panic for the public.” He said that many people who are out hoarding food and medicine are carrying out a behaviour that is irrational and that there will be many suffering from solitude. 

PN MP Maria Deguara insisted that the 111 COVID-19 helpline is run by professionals. “We call this helpline, and they simply ask whether you were abroad, or in contact with someone who was abroad, and this is not enough, especially now that we know the virus is now amongst us.” She stressed that the government must learn from this pandemic, to plan and facilitate health care centres properly, and to provide the necessary support to health care workers.

“We must protect our health care workers, fumigate the centres as much as possible and reduce groups and queues in the health care centres or the hospital and the same should be done in banks,” she said.