Health authorities have, through a legal notice, extended the regulations implemented for mass events to be applicable to bars, discos, and nightclubs as well.

The organisation of public mass events is currently subject to a number of restrictions owing to the continued spread of Covid-19 in Malta.

Under the restrictions, event venues cannot hold more than the equivalent of one person per four square metres.  Regardless of that capacity though, indoor venues cannot hold more than 100 people while outdoor venues cannot hold more than 300 people.

They were implemented through a legal notice last week after the government came under pressure to cancel mass events after Covid-19 cases increased owing to clusters centred at a party and a feast march.

Malta now has 528 active cases of the virus, with case numbers having increased significantly in the past three weeks.

Initially, the restrictions applied only for mass gatherings and events, but they will now apply for bars, discotheques, and nightclubs as well.

Any outlets caught in breach of the regulations are liable to a €3,000 fine.

The Malta Tourism Authority yesterday said that they had fined 12 establishments for being in breach of these regulations, with 500 inspections having been carried out up till then.

The MTA has said that anyone who encounters any breaches can inform the authority via its Tourism COVID-19 helpline: 21692447 or email: [email protected].