PN leader Bernard Grech said today that the public is not following Covid-19 protocols as they have lost trust in Prime Minister Robert Abela following confusion and contradictions in the rules.

Asked by this newsroom if Grech condones the disregard for safety protocols in the PN political mass rally held yesterday in Naxxar, where many were standing, in close proximity to each other and not wearing masks, Grech shifted the blame towards the Prime Minister for seeming confused about the safety protocols.

“Without a doubt the rules must be followed by everyone, but the rules must also make sense,” Grech replied, adding that the public does not want to accept the current Covid-19 protocols as it has lost its trust in Abela. He said that Abela is fumbling with the public’s freedom.

Grech added that there is discrimination upon students and educators who must wear masks at school for long periods of hours. He also said that there are limitations for parents who are about to give birth and must adhere to certain Covid-19 regulations.

“The rules do not make sense when the country has a 90% herd immunity count,” Grech said. He also condemned the breach of Covid-19 safety protocols at the Malta Film Awards.

On a question regarding the accusations made by the PL where it is claiming that the PN will slash aid to people living in properties subject to pre-1995 rents, Grech said that Abela is being caught in continuous lies.

He said that once again, the Nationalist party was correct in claiming that the PL has no idea what it is doing. Grech said that under a PN government these people will be given true opportunities and reassurances that they will not end up homeless. Property owners will be asked to take a step back to give tenants the opportunity to become owners to their own house, he said.

Asked if he believes that the PN will manage to make up the deficit of voters for the upcoming election, where surveys continue to show that the PN is very far behind the PL, Grech replied that he is aware of these surveys, but the PN’s focus is on its work and electoral campaign.

He remarked that Abela has been “running away from journalists,” and holding activities without informing the media, showing that the clear choice for the upcoming election is the PN. Grech also said that many Labour supporters have been feeling distrust and betrayal towards Abela, and that he has become too arrogant, he said.