New regulations published by the health ministry mean that masks will no longer be mandatory in schools as of Monday 25 April.

As the Easter holidays come to a close, at the start of the new term students will no longer be forced to wear masks in classrooms as per government guidelines. It is now up to the school to enforce its own rules on face coverings.

The document published by Health Minister Chris Fearne and Chief Superintendent for Health Charmaine Gauci outlines the existing mitigation measures which will remain in force as well as the new amendments which will come into force as of Monday 25 April.

The other major changes include those regarding mitigation measures for gatherings.

The document states that "all activities which used to take place pre-Covid-19 should take place, keeping basic mitigation measures in mind."

This means that parents can now attend school activities even if they are not vaccinated, as long as basic mitigation measures are kept in mind.

The document also leaves the enforcement of these measures in the hands of the schools, while continuously advising people to keep in mind the principles of hand hygiene, physical distancing, ventilation and masking.

With regards to public events, attendees have to be in possession of a valid vaccine certificate.