The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) welcomes the announcement by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health Dr Chris Fearne that most of the measures that came in force on the 17th January will be lifted on the 7th and 14th February.
Malta's vaccine certificate rules will be relaxed in the first half of February for a number of establishments, Fearne announced in Parliament on Tuesday.
The MHRA President Tony Zahra, in reaction, said: "Hospitality businesses and the public in general are breathing a sigh of relief as the lifting of the latest measures will see an end to the hardships that sectors of our industry have been subjected to as a result"
The MHRA stated that we have since lost some employees, who decided to seek employment elsewhere, where vaccination was not mandatory. "We were unable to put their mind at rest and we could only tell them not to report for work. In the meantime, bookings were cancelled, and some restaurants opted to close for business and see how things will unfold. There was not much else to do. We now hope that the validation period of vaccination is also reviewed from the existing 90 days, which puts Maltese residents at a disadvantage to the rest of the Europeans."
The MHRA said that it is encouraged to see "that we are starting to see signs of an exit of pandemic, and we are on the right path of recovery, although Covid might remain endemic."
"We all want our lives back, the residents need it, the businesses need it and indeed the economy. The MHRA pledges its support and will continue to closely work with Government authorities and all stakeholders to expedite the process of recovery."