The Malta Independent 25 April 2024, Thursday
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Brief period of heightened measures required to control Covid-19 spike – Malta Chamber

Thursday, 17 September 2020, 11:08 Last update: about 5 years ago

A brief period of heightened restrictions is urgently required to contain the recent spike in Covid-19 cases, the Malta Chamber said on Thursday.

This is in the interest of the physical and economic health of the country, the Chamber said, adding that this issue should be discussed at an urgent meeting of the Malta Councile for Economic and Social Development (MCESD).

“It is evident that renewed discipline is required amongst certain cohorts of the population as other countries have also experienced.  For this reason, the Chamber is calling for a concerted approach made by all enforcement agencies in order to step up appropriate enforcement measures.”

The authorities need to step up their awareness campaigns for vigilance about the seriousness of the pandemic that is currently engulfing all aspects of life the world over, it said. “Besides, it must also be drilled into the public consciousness, that while we must adapt, life is not back to normality as we knew it pre-pandemic.”

The MCESD should urgently discuss the “dire” situation and the need to make this a national priority for everyone, it added.

It proposed a brief period of heightened restrictions to be introduced immediately, in order to control the current spike in cases. 

The proposed restrictions may include amongst others, the reduction of size of public gatherings, wearing of masks at all times outside of homes and active encouragement of remote working wherever possible. Besides, authorities may also consider temporary closure of certain leisure establishments and communal places.

“With regards to education, as matters stand, it is not unrealistic that parents are growing skeptical about sending their children to school. We must work in the short term to make sure that the infection rate is brought once again under control.  This would also provide schools with much needed additional time to better prepare themselves for their students’ intake. The re-opening of schools, which remains in the best interest of our children, can only happen under heightened measures and disciplined enforcement. Once a semblance of control is achieved, the heightened restriction period can start being released slowly.”

Targeted measures and urgent support are also overdue to care-homes for the elderly, as they too are facing extremely trying times, it said. “The country must help control the spread of the virus as a national priority, as the country’s health services risk becoming inundated very soon.”

The Chamber said there is a very real threat out there which must be taken seriously. “This is threatening the breakdown of society. We must work together in order to safeguard all that we have achieved together.”

 

 

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