“Practically all” remaining COVID-19 restrictions will be removed by the beginning of May, Health Minister Chris Fearne said Saturday.

Speaking on ONE Radio’s Sibt il-Punt this morning, Fearne said the plan is for standing events to return between April and May, coinciding with the return of village feasts.

A more precise date for the lifting of the restrictions will be announced between March and April, he said. 

Quarantine for primary and secondary contacts of positive cases could be removed as from 7 March.

As from 21 February, quarantine for primary contacts in the same household will be reduced from 10 days to five days.

on Thursday, Fearne said that the quarantine period for other primary contacts will be reduced from 7 to 5 days, with a negative test result required after the fifth day.

If case numbers remain low, Fearne said, quarantine for primary and secondary contacts will be removed completely as from 7 March.