In the past few days there have been over 450 inspections out of which 39 outlets were fined, five of which were fined over €3,000 each, according to Superintendent of Public Health Charmaine Gauci.

“Over the past few days the Health Authorities and other entities, such as the Malta Tourism Authority and the Police have worked together to go around different outlets such as bars, restaurants and event establishments.” Gauci was speaking during TVM’s news bulletin on Monday evening, the day Health Authorities announced that 23 people have tested positive for COVID-19, and another four recovered. The total number of active case in Malta is at a record of 415.

Gauci explained that there were over 200 inspections which took place at restaurants, bars and event establishments, out of which five were fined €3,000 each. In regards to retail outlets, there were over 250 inspections, out of which 34 were fined. “It is our obligatory to ensure that we control the situation and we follow the legal notice.”

Most recently, the authorities have imposed a €100 fine on those not wearing a mask or visor in retail outlets, public transport, the Gozo ferry and the Malta International Airport. Event organisers caught breaching social distancing rules will be fined €3,000.

Gauci was asked whether there are any active cases in Gozo, as to which she said that so far there are no COVID-19 patients at Gozo hospital or any Gozitans tested positive. “This does not mean that there are no cases in Gozo. We know that many travel frequently between the two islands and therefore there is a chance that there are cases which have not been brought to our attention, therefore we need to continue following the regulations.”

Gauci highlighted that this is a high peak and that Malta has never seen these numbers before. She said that the Health Authorities will continue to observe the situation and that if numbers do not decrease in the weeks to come there is a possibility of more measures being introduced. “Everyone needs to cooperate and the cases which we are seeing now are from previous weeks. One cannot pretend to see results of the new measures immediately, as the cases we are seeing today are those who were affected in the previous weeks. We hope to see the measures which are in place now will be cooperated by the public and we will begin to see a decrease. If there is not a decrease then we will take further action.”

When asked regarding visors, she added that both visors and masks are safe to use and that visors will be added to the legal notice. She said that children under the age of three do not need to wear a mask or visor, and that those children and adults with a disability are not under the obligation to wear a mask.