Health Minister Chris Fearne has shot down the concept of the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) introducing a temporary licence for those snacks bars which operate like a restaurant.
"A legal notice is a legal notice," Fearne told The Malta Independent, responding to a request for clarification on the subject.
On Tuesday, media reports stated that the MTA was to introduce a temporary license for snack bars which function similarly to a restaurant, so that such establishments can serve alcohol. The newsroom has made numerous attempts to contact MTA for further clarification but these remained unanswered. In the meantime, Cabinet had turned down the idea on a temporary licence.
He said that according to the legal notice those with a restaurant licence are allowed to serve food and alcohol, that snack bars are allowed to serve food up until 11pm and that bars are to remain closed.
Fearne was speaking to journalists after the inauguration of a refurbished health centre in Ghaxaq. The refurbishment works were partially financed through National Social Development Funds (NSDF) which is financed by the citizenship investment scheme (IIP). The works cost around €12,000.The health care centre will provide services for around 5,000 residents in Ghaxaq and the surrounding areas. Fearne said that the clinic will provide services for physiotherapy, podiatry, speech therapists and nutrition specialists.
Prime Minister to inaugurate "Good Samaritan" medical facility in the days to come
Responding to further questions, Fearne said that in the upcoming days, he and the Prime Minister are to officially inaugurate the new medical facility found at St Paul's Bay, which is currently taking care of elderly COVID-19 patients.
"The medical facility, Good Samaritan, can take up to 60 patients, and currently there are 23 patients, who are all in good conditions," said Fearne.
Earlier this week during parliament, Fearne mentioned that the facility is of "very high standard" and that the elderly patients came from care homes. The patients are in the facility so as to reduce the risk of the virus spreading amongst more elderly people.
New testing hub in the north under private entity
He also responded to questions about testing hubs. Currently there are seven testing hubs across the Maltese Islands. One most recently opened at Boffa Hospital in Floriana. Fearne had previously mentioned another testing hub to open in the North, and when questioned about this he told journalists that the hub will open in the coming week. "We are working with a private entity and currently the tender is being discussed so that we can open it in the coming days."
He mentioned that another testing hub will open in the airport, where rapid testing will take place on passengers arriving in Malta.
Fearne once again pressed on the importance that everyone follows the measures and be responsible. He said that Malta and the rest of Europe are facing challenging months, and that the government is providing the necessary measures and it is everyone's responsibility to follow such measures. "It is important that everyone is responsible to follow and observe the government's measures. We need to keep our schools open and work places open, so it is essential that we are responsible and follow the measures."