There are no instructions from the health authorities to close beaches, so long as social distancing measures are in place, but weddings are as yet considered to be too risky and as such remain prohibited, Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci said.

So far, the health authorities have not closed beaches, but it is important to abide by the measure of social distancing, Gauci said in her daily briefing, replying to questions by The Malta Independent.

As the weather gets warmer, many people will be flocking to the beach to get a tan and refresh themselves in the sea. But they still need to remain apart from others, as groups of more than four would be breaching the law.

She said social distancing measures which have been in place for the past weeks to contain the spread of Coronavirus are also applicable on the beach. “You can be close to those people in your family, but if you are to stay close to others, you will put yourself and others at risk contracting the virus.”

When asked when weddings will be allowed to take place, Gauci said that one of the first measures put into practice when the virus reached Malta was to stop all mass gatherings, including weddings. “It is still risky to have a large group of people all in one place; therefore this measure will stay in place for now.”

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