Social media is rife with misinformation regarding Covid, ADPD - The Green Party, insisted on Thursday.

"It is inevitable that a novel virus causes uncertainty, but there are some truths which must be emphasised. First of all, Covid has created several 'epidemics' and tragedies in Malta - from the tragedy of untimely deaths, to long term effects on previously healthy young individuals, even those with minor infections, something which health professionals have told us they are personally witnessing. The just as serious epidemic of mental illness caused by social exclusion must also be taken into account in any measures related to Covid."

ADPD stressed that the vaccines work. "According to research in the UK you are 60 times less likely to end up in intensive care with Covid if fully vaccinated than if you are not. The science behind vaccination is sound, it is the accessibility of vaccines in poor countries which remains a serious social justice issue."

"Being vaccinated protects you from serious illness, but does not protect those not vaccinated from getting it from you and becoming seriously ill."

The party said that criticism of the health authorities for not being able to handle the current surge is a joke. "No health authority in the world is able to do it. We must support health authorities and all health professionals on this issue."

"What the government is responsible for is the fact that it gave in to pressure from organisers of a massive party disguised as a conference for the privileged few. This surge started at the Sigma conference at the end of November. The surge may have been delayed if government had not pandered to the igaming industry. Thousands of people from all over the world in an industry notorious for being anti-vaxx and for partying, gravitated on Malta. No controls whatsoever were enforced. Government also preferred to mask people in the open air, yet let Paceville and other entertainment areas operate normally until it was too late. While some benefitted from Sigma, the rest of the economy suffered, not to mention the suffering of those who found themselves isolated from society."

The party said that at the same time, measures should be actively enforced in order to ensure that the current daily record of new cases is reversed as soon as possible. "The number of cases on the small population of our island is equivalent to more cases in European countries such as France, Germany and the UK - with the added disadvantage of Malta's high population density."

"We should also be making this effort to salvage the jobs of workers in the tourism industry which this week received another hit by the US warning against travel to Malta. We will, however, continue to insist on a root and branch reform of this industry."

ADPD - The Green Party also called on health authorities to continue monitoring international research with a view of further reducing the isolation period for those who are fully vaccinated and do not present any symptoms. ADPD - The Green Party Chairperson Carmel Cacopardo said that quarantine reduction effective as from next Monday should ensure that essential services function without further depletion of their workforce.