The Government has restricted travel between Malta and Gozo on the Gozo Channel, only allowing people to travel between the islands for specific reasons as from Friday morning.

Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri announced a new set of measures to help reduce the spread of the Coronavirus, aimed at avoiding non-essential travel between the two islands.

The minister said that non-essential travel between the islands is to be discouraged, and said that the majority of people are following the directives laid down by the government and the health authorities.

"Now is not the time for weekend breaks," he said, referring to weekend visits to Gozo.

Camilleri said that following  discussions with the competent authorities, the Ministry announced a number of new measures that will affect travel between the islands.

Presently, every Gozo Channel passenger (travelling either way) is being screened for virus symptoms before being allowed to board, he said.

He said that from Friday morning, what was being recommended will now be made mandatory. As such, passengers will be screened to identify the reason for their travel between the islands.

Travel between the islands will only be allowed for work, for medical reasons, for family visits to hospital patients, the transportation of goods, for visits to relatives and for the returning of people to their ordinary residence

He said that travel for vacation or entertainment purposes will not be allowed. 

Camilleri said that these are unprecedented measures, but are in everyone's interest.

The PN in a statement welcomed the measure and called it a move in the right direction.