Malta is to criminalise the wilful spreading of coronavirus, with the offence carrying a maximum sentence of nine years' imprisonment.

The news was broken by Lovin Malta and was later confirmed to The Malta Independent by government sources.

A Legal Notice to this effect is expected to be published in the coming days.

If a COVID-19 patient spreads the disease through carelessness, they will be liable to imprisonment of up to six months or a fine up to €2,329.37.

People who know that they have been infected with COVID-19 and knowingly transmit the disease to non-infected people will be liable to imprisonment for a term between four to nine years.

If someone knowingly transmits the virus to a person, and that person dies as a result, the offender can be charged with willful homicide.

This new legal amendment will impact those COVID-19 patients who are recovering at home and are supposedly meant to be in isolation.

There is already a €10,000 fine in place for COVID-19 patients caught leaving their homes.

Six local councils suggest closure of beaches

Six local councils have called for all beaches to be closed to the public to contain the spread of the Coronavirus. A number of beaches were crowded over the Easter weekend, despite appeals from the health authorities for people to stay indoors.

On Easter Sunday, the police issued a record 104 fines to people found in groups of more than three. If a group of four or more people gather in public spaces and do no live under the same roof, each person is fined €100.

The president of the Local Councils Association, Mario Fava, has raised the issue with the government after some six councils had suggested beaches to be temporarily shut; the councils include Qala, Gharb, Mellieha and St Julian's.

Qala mayor Paul Buttigieg said that he had gone to Hondoq ir-Rummien over the weekend and noted that most people had either remained in their cars or were walking in pairs. He was surprised, however, to see photos of crowds at other beaches, including Golden Bay. "At the moment we need these drastic measures," he said.

St Julian's Mayor Albert Buttigieg also agreed with the call but added that the problem is not only related to beaches.