A contingency plan put in action at the Corradino prison also applies to the juvenile correctional facility at Imtahleb, a spokesperson for the Home Affairs Ministry said.

There are currently 45 residents, nine of whom are minors at the young offenders unit. Correctional officers at both facilities have begun working seven-day shifts to avoid an outbreak of Covid-19.

The Centre of Residential Restorative Services was inaugurated back in 2017, to ensure that young offenders are kept separate from the adult prison population at Corradino Correctional Facility or inmates at Mount Carmel Hospital.

This newsroom asked whether guardians or parents of residents under the age of 18 have been asked to be sent back home.  The spokesperson explained that, according to the law, upon entry at the centre, the guardian of these juveniles is the Director of the Prisons, as he is responsible for their care during their time at the facility.

 As the number of covid-19 cases in Malta rises, and the country registered its first two deaths this week, a number of state facilities have upped the measures to avoid an outbreak of the disease.

"Residents are constantly being updated about the situation as it unfolds, and they have been cooperative and understanding. As a safety precaution, visitors are not allowed inside the facility, and residents are having their temperature checked every day," the spokesperson said.

The prison authorities have also issued masks, which all personnel must wear at all times. Just like at the Corradino Correctional Facility, officers at the Centre of Residential Restorative Services have also started a seven-day working shift. During this time, all officers will be residing within the facility to contain the spread of coronavirus.