The new measures announced on Monday are not very different from what the Medical Association of Malta (MUM) had been proposing, however enforcement and discipline is “absolutely crucial” for these measures to work, MAM President Martin Balzan told The Malta Independent.
During a press conference on Monday, Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne, together with Superintendent of Public Health Charmaine Gauci, announced a number of new measures to contain the spread of Coronavirus.
Bars and nightclubs are being shut down, gatherings are now restricted to 15 people and weddings have to be seated.
Speaking to this newsroom, Balzan said that, “most of what MAM proposed is included, especially with regards to the closing of bars, nightclubs, discotheques and other parties.”
“Such restrictions are essential to minimise the spread, and the government has our full support on this matter,” he said.
Bars and nightclubs have to shut down as from Wednesday, the government has announced.
Balzan remarked that, “although I’m sure that the majority of the public will abide by the restrictions in order to minimise the spread of COVID-19 as much as possible, there will still be a small percentage who will not and instead choose to flout such measures, therefore, enforcement is extremely important.”
“Everyone needs to realise that abiding by such measures will only serve one’s own interests. Being disciplined in such a situation is of the essence and everyone needs to be socially responsible,” Balzan said.
In addition, the public needs to be fully aware that there is no chance of amnesty if they do not abide by these regulations.
“We do not want any politicians promising people amnesties, otherwise it undermines the work of the Superintendent and of the Malta Police Force.”
Balzan explained that, “the main difference to what was proposed by MAM and what was officially announced is that our suggestion when it comes to the limit of people within a group was restricted to 10 but now this has increased to 15 people.”
The government is expected to name the countries that will be on the 'amber' list. Passengers coming from these destinations must present a medical certificate showing they are clear of Covid-19.
With regards to weddings, Balzan said that they have received a substantial amount of information that most people have already cancelled their weddings because they are afraid that their guests won’t turn up.
“Holding weddings is not the most ideal in such circumstances, but it is also an understandable situation which we can try and live with.”
Regarding the situation with travelling and airports, the doctors’ association believes that “anyone coming to Malta, including both tourists and Maltese citizens, should either swab or self-quarantine.”
This should happen across the board because the Coronavirus numbers are rising in a lot of countries in Europe, not just in Malta, he said.
Balzan reiterated that enforcement is of utmost importance, “therefore we will be closely monitoring the enforcement process.”
“If this fails and the Coronavirus numbers keep rising, the only alternative would be a lockdown, and I am not sure the Maltese economy could withstand that.”
Strike action suspended
Meanwhile, the MAM council met on Monday afternoon and decided that all strike action is now being suspended. “The measures announced by Minister Fearne and the superintendent of public health are very close to what MAM had requested and there is no justification for further industrial action at the stage,” it said in a statement.
The association encouraged the public to comply with the measures. It also said it will be closely their implementation “and reserves the right to react if enforcement is found wanting.”