After taking note of and following the public indications given by the competent health authorities, the Bishops of Malta and Gozo have decided that no other pilgrimages will take place this year, the Curia said in a statement.
Over the past days there has been a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases, pushing the government to introduce fresh measures on mass gatherings which came into force on Friday.
The Santa Venera feast, in particular, led to several new cases of the virus in the past days. Masses had been stopped by the church in March but were re-introduced in July, when the pandemic seemed to be under control.