The Minister for Home Affairs, Byron Camilleri, has advised all members of the public to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary during a press conference on Monday afternoon.

Following Monday morning's red alert, the Minister has said that in the coming hours, the Maltese islands will be hit with extreme weather. These strong winds are expected to peak during Monday night, at around 1am. Some rain, thunder, and hail are also expected.

The worst weather is expected to persist till tomorrow, Tuesday, 19 January, at around noon. Winds are forecasted to reach hit gale force, Force 9. While the press conference was going on, at 4:30pm, strong winds of between Force 6 and 7 were being reported by the Meteorological Office. Winds are expected to strenghten to around Force 7-8 on Tuesday afternoon. It is forecasted for the weather to weaken by 4pm, tomorrow.

As a result, while all but three schools around the country will open tomorrow, on Tuesday, all parents who choose not to send their children to school will be excused. The same applies for parents and children at childcare centres.

The schools which will not open are the Mellieħa Primary School, the St Paul's Bay Primary School and the Qawra Primary School.

Minister Camilleri stated that he has been advised by the Head of the Public Service that all its workers have been advised to work remotely if possible. When asked if this applies to all workers, the Minister said the government, in this regard, can only speak on behalf of the public sector; private companies are to decide on how to proceed independently.

Waste collection for Tuesday (mixed waste) has also been cancelled, as the corps want to reduce as much garbage flying around Maltese streets as possible, for hygienic and safety reasons.

People have been advised to postpone any activities, if possible, till this strong weather persists. Together with members of the disciplined forces, Minister Camilleri advised for people to avoid all outdoor works till this storm subsides.

Members from the police and the armed forces all advised for people to only phone 112 for real emergencies, particularly where people's lives are at stake.

They added that if residents hear something on the roof moving around, it is too late to fix it and are advised not to arrange whatever they are hearing or worried about.

Given these strong winds, the Ministry for Gozo has declared that people should not get ready to cross between Malta and Gozo. Minister Camilleri said he was last advised by the Minister for Gozo, Clint Camilleri, at 4:15pm that the Gozo Channel was getting ready to make its last voyage before suspending services due to the very rough seas.

Additional disciplinary forces are on standby until tomorrow afternoon, ready for any work needed in light of this extreme weather.

Home Affairs Minister Camilleri observed that in these circumstances, prevention is the way to go, and formally advised the public to not take any risks. He said he hopes for the worst of Storm Harry to skip the Maltese islands, even though the winds continued to grow stronger during the late afternoon. He added that authorities are obliged to prepare society and all entities in case this strong weather arrives and to, most importantly, prevent any misfortunes from occurring, as have done in past similar occurrences. Winds are expected to increase "quite aggressively" by the night.

Minister Camilleri appealed for people to phone their elders and loved ones who may not be aware of this plea to stay safely indoors till the weather subsides.

Schools to open, students excused for absence; tertiary institutions to issue their own statements

Schools will open as per usual on Tuesday, though any absent schoolchildren will be excused, Minister Camilleri stated.

The only three schools to close on Tuesday are the primary schools of Mellieħa, St. Paul's Bay, and Qawra due to the large number of Gozitan workers who will not manage to cross over to Malta due to the strong winds.

Educational institutions for older youths and young adults like MCAST, the University of Malta, etc., are expected to advise their students accordingly soon. Any further information should be clarified by the respective schools in the coming hours.

MCAST told students in an email that all lectures would be held online on Tuesday.

"Everyone will be making their own statements, including the Ministry for Education," the Home Affairs Minister said.

To close this press conference, Minister Camilleri pleaded for people not to put their lives, or other peoples' lives, in danger while this strong weather is ongoing - even if civil protection forces are available.

Accompanying Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri in this press conference were Police Force Deputy Commissioner Kenneth Haber, Director General of the Civil Protection Department (CPD) Peter Paul Coleiro, and Matteo Busuttil who heads the Operations branch within the Armed Forces of Malta.