Although a number of medical specialist associations have welcomed the recent measures to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus, they have insisted that household gatherings are curtailed over the Easter period. 

The associations stated that only a maximum of two households should be allowed and only because working parents may need to leave their children with other family members. 

“Both our own local data and that from abroad indicate that household gatherings are one of the most efficient ways of spreading the virus and the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) have spelt this out on several occasions,” the associations said. 

In addition, they explained that with everywhere closed over Easter, the risk of families meeting indoors is high and all the sacrifices made over this month will, once again, be undone if we are not self-disciplined. 

The associations urged the health authorities to be constantly proactive in managing the crisis “as too often have mitigation measures been too little too late, which is why we find ourselves in this precarious situation.” 

The associations expressed their gratitude to the public who, in their majority, have followed public health measures. However, they also appealed to the public to make the effort to refrain from meeting people outside their household over Easter. 

“Healthy young people are dying, and the situation will only get worse before it starts to get better. We all need to do our bit to protect ourselves and our loved ones. This virus is different to what it was a year ago. It spreads incredibly quickly and is more deadly.” 

The statement was signed by the following: Association of Emergency Physicians Malta, Associations of Surgeons Malta, Association of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeons Malta, Associations of Anaesthetists Malta, Association of Physicians Malta, Malta Association of Ophthmologists, Malta Association of Psychiatry, Malta Association of Public Health Medicine, Malta Association of Radiologists and Nuclear Medicine Physicians, Malta Association of Dermatologists and Venereologists, Malta College of Pathologists, Malta College of Family Doctors, Malta College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists, Malta Paediatric Association, Geriatric Medicine Society Malta.