The “critical success factor” to beat the Covid-19 pandemic does not rest in how many social and economic restrictive measures are implemented, but rather in how effective and efficient enforcement measures are, the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association said. 

In a statement after the announcement of new restrictive measures for February, the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) reiterated that the relevant authorities must be adequately resourced and instructed to ensure that the rules related to Covid-19 and licences are enforced “across the board on an equal standing.” 

In a press conference, the Prime Minister announced that restaurants would have to close their doors at 11pm, and that more enforcement would take place on accommodation places in Gozo in particular during the carnival weekend to make sure that they are adhering to their licence. 

“The hotels and restaurants are already paying a hefty price due to the global spread of the Covid-19 pandemic so it is important that Government focuses concrete action to ensure those betraying collective responsibility efforts are penalized as otherwise all the sacrifices borne by law abiding operators and citizens will serve for nothing”, the MHRA said. 

MHRA said that it consistently supports reasonable measures which aim to ensure a balanced approach to the protection of lives and livelihoods and remains positive that as the roll out of the vaccine keeps progressing according to plan then the economy will kick-start again in the near future. 

They however insisted that the “critical success factor to win over this pandemic does not rest in how many social and economic restrictive measures are set, but rather on the efficiency and effectiveness of enforcement efforts to ensure that the basic measures are borne equally by all.” 

“Only in this way will those suffering today start seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, sooner rather than later”, they concluded.