Photos and video footage sent to The Malta Independent show that security officials and people queuing outside the Transport Malta offices in Paola were not wearing a mask, despite the area being a public space.
Masks help stop the spread of the Coronavirus, by protecting others. On May 1st, the country had announced the first set of restrictive measures that were to be relaxed, and among them was that certain non-essential shops were allowed to reopen. Along with this however, came certain conditions, such as that people had to wear masks when using public transport and when entering shops. While it seems that the written regulations are vague when it comes to public departments, Health Authority officials confirmed with this newsroom that it is indeed mandatory for people to wear masks in places like Transport Malta.
Security guards not wearing a face mask might deter those people who are more health conscious from entering and is.
In addition to this, the Public Health Authorities are advising on the benefits of wearing a face mask or visor by individuals who are not ill, when entering closed spaces.
Health Authority documents read that "it is the responsibility of employers to provide appropriate masks or visors for their workers. The use of face masks helps reduce the spread of infection in the community by limiting the spread of infection from infected individuals who may not know they are infected, who have not yet developed symptoms or who remain asymptomatic. The wearing of masks will therefore enhance the effects of physical distancing."
Since the security are not wearing facemasks, one must ask what kind of message this sends to the public?