As the days grow colder and wetter, many will look towards indoor activities rather than outdoor ones.

This would mean enclosed spaces, heaters and the flu season. Malta has the Covid-19 pandemic under control, and the Covid-19 vaccines have been doing their job, but we must still be careful.

The government has said that it has ordered 200,000 flu jabs this year, which if all taken up would be a record number flu jabs administered. The flu was barely noticeable in Malta last year thanks to the wearing of masks and the flu jabs, and given that Covid-19 is still present, we should consider taking the flu shot again, to better protect ourselves and others.

Taking the flu jab could reduce the risk of Covid scares, aside from obviously reducing the risk of spreading the flu itself.

The health authorities have employed a cautious approach to the relaxation of Covid measures, which is very wise, contrary to certain calls for restrictions to be removed altogether. Given the change in lifestyle the winter months bring when compared to summer, the gradual and careful approach is the best way forward. Some age groups have started to be administered the Covid booster, which will help boost immunity. One imagines that once immunity begins to wane in other age groups, they too will be offered such a shot.

The authorities will need to keep an eye on Covid numbers as more people move to dining in groups indoors and indoor events pick up. The Christmas period last year saw numbers spike as a result, however this year most of us are vaccinated, so one expects that such a Covid spike will not be as strong. Regardless, if the effectiveness of the vaccine shots we have taken do start to diminish, then we must take care.

The Pope is also expected to visit the country in December. Perhaps the government should start thinking about special precautions during that period, to help avoid any mass crowds which would undoubtedly try and form to catch a glimpse of the Pontiff.

Malta is handing the pandemic very well and thankfully there are low numbers. We have settled into a form of normality now, with all sectors getting used to operating in the way they currently are. The main aim should be to keep this level of activity or improve it without increasing any risk of having to return to harsher measures. The health authorities must also keep a watchful eye on any variants emerging.

The tourism related travel restrictions have worked well in terms of keeping the Covid numbers low, and as more and more people abroad take the vaccine, then the more tourists will come to the country. It is important to keep in mind that these restrictions, however, have helped keep the infection numbers down.