As from yesterday, a certificate is available to all those who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Fourteen days after the second dose of Moderna, Pfizer and Astra Zeneca, or the single Johnson & Johnson jab, people can download this certificate from certifikatvaccin.gov.mt.

It is yet another step forward towards a return to the new normality. The certificate is necessary to facilitate travelling, visits to elderly people’s homes, and eventually to attend mass activities. Until now, such events are not being allowed, but the government is planning a gradual reopening.

It’s going to be a new way of life.

Let us remember that the pandemic is not over. There are still many countries which are battling surges of the disease, and dealing with new variants. Some nations are experiencing yet another wave of cases. And although in Malta these last few weeks have seen a significant reduction in the number of new cases, it does not mean that we can celebrate the end of Covid.

It will take just one careless event to re-ignite the virus, and it is therefore imperative for all of us to continue to act responsibly and avoid situations that could lead to a disastrous effect.

The government has made it clear several times in the past few weeks. We need to take it slowly. We need to stagger the easing of restrictions, take stock of the situation and, if the results are good, go for the next step. The mistakes that we committed last year at the start of summer proved to be costly, as it took us almost a whole 12 months to bring down the number of new cases to single digits.

As of yesterday, too, the government’s plan for a controlled reopening of the tourism industry came to be. The aim is to attract as many tourists as possible “to contribute to the country’s economic recovery”, Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo had announced when the strategy was launched.

Hotels are reporting an increase in the number of bookings for the summer months. The tourism industry suffered big blows in the last 16 months, and it is looking forward to better times.

Again, we need to be careful. The arrival of more people from abroad will inevitably increase the risks of a rise in the number of cases, and this is why caution should be exercised. The health authorities have established protocols that need to be followed to the letter. Risks cannot be taken, and anyone caught not adhering to the conditions imposed should face the consequences.

In the meantime, the vaccination campaign is moving steadily, bar a few hitches such as the one we had this week with the delayed arrival of the Pfizer batch. It is imperative that people realise the importance of getting jabbed, and for the government to remain alert to the possibility of a need for boosters later on in the year.

Health Minister Chris Fearne said on Monday that the country is already planning for 2022 and 2023. It was good to hear this. It means that the government is not letting its guard down. And neither should we.