Prime Minister Robert Abela and his cabinet of ministers are constantly providing updates and new measures to help the country cope with the Coronavirus outbreak in Malta and are regularly announcing precautionary measures that are being taken. This article will provide important pointers that are being issued by the Government and will be updated frequently, with the latest updates placed at the top of each section.  

Malta Covid-19 Updates

• Only one cases was reported today.
• Healthcare workers across Malta have come together to urge the government to rethink its decisions, as 15 new cases have been reported overnight. 
• This spike means that Malta now has a total of 125 active cases – the highest the country has seen in weeks. 
• 15 new cases have been diagnosed today, bringing up the total case number in Malta to 584.
• As of today, Malta has 113 active cases and 465 recoveries in total. 
• A total of 11 new cases were confirmed today, meaning that the total number of patients is back into the triple digits. Malta now has 103 active cases, with 460 recovered patients. 
• Hairdressers around Malta can start reopening their salons on Friday, however they need to follow government-issued guidelines and obtain a certificate in order to do so. 
• Ten new cases were reported today, making it the second day in a row where cases hit the double digits.  
• So far, the total active cases in Malta are 78, while 488 people have recovered.
• Malta saw a high surge in cases today, as 14 new ones were reported. This means that today presents us with the sharpest increase this month. 
• Another death was confirmed today, meaning that Malta now has 6 deaths from Covid-19. 
• Two new cases were reported overnight, one of them is a healthcare worker. 
• So far, 436 patients have recovered, meaning that Malta has a total of 66 active cases.  
• Three new Coronavirus cases were reported overnight. All of whom were related to contacts with previously known cases. 
• The total number of recoveries so far is 434. Malta now has 67 active case
• Seven new cases were reported today during the press briefing. The number of recovered patients has risen to 434, meaning that we have 64 active cases. 
• Two new coronavirus cases were confirmed today, meaning that the total number of people infected has risen to 486. 
• Malta has 68 active cases, along with 413 recoveries. 
• Two new cases were confirmed over the past 24 hours. 
• An additional 4 people have recovered, with a total of 407 recoveries reported in Malta. Active cases are now down to 72. New prices for face masks and face shields have been introduced, 95c for face masks and €5 for face shields.
• 4 deaths have been reported so far: a 92-year-old Gozitan woman, a 79-year-old man, an 84-year-old person, and a 96-year-old woman, all with underlying medical conditions.
• 3 new cases have been registered, bringing the total up to 480. You can keep up to date with the latest figures by accessing this dashboard created by the Department of Health. 
• New 7 recoveries have been reported, bringing the total to 399. Active cases are now down to 77. Far more persons are now recovering than contracting the virus.
• Social distancing still needs to be maintained, despite the opening of certain retail outlets.
• As from the 4th of May, the use of a mask in the community is obligatory when one enters a shop, bank branch, or when using public transport.
• Certain commercial establishments will be re-opening on Monday the 4th of May. However, one must follow these procedures: everyone will be required to wear a mask, shops will permit one client per 10sqm of store space, hand sanitizers will be made available at the shop entrance, and changing rooms may not be used.
• As of the 4th of May, travel between Malta and Gozo will be permitted again.
• The prohibition of groups of more than 3 people in public places will rise to 4 people.
• The Court registry is also re-opening.
• Applications for students wishing to sit for MATSEC exams in September will open on the 4th of May.
• When a vaccination against Covid-19 is produced, the government will buy enough for the entire population so it can be distributed for free.
• A number of health services that were stopped will resume from the 4th of May. These include child vaccinations, cancer screening, endoscopies, CT scans, MRIs and ultrasounds.
• A new web application introduced by the health authorities now makes it possible for one to check the risk of having Covid-19. Try it now on covid19check.gov.mt.
• Agenzija Zghazagh has come up with a 'Give Back Award' initiative so that youths bring forward an idea related to solidarity that can be carried out during this period.
• Malta ranked among the top 5 countries in the world in its ability to resist the effects of Covid-19. 
• Teleskola.mt, containing a vast range of online educational resources for students from kindergarten to Form 5, has been launched.
• Children of vulnerable families will benefit from a €15,000 grant, together with 30 tablets.
• The free legal assistance service to victims of domestic violence has been extended, and the helpline 79747974 introduced. 
• Agenzija Sapport will stream a series of workshops for parents of children and adults with a disability every week.
• A service consisting of 8 free counselling sessions has been introduced to persons undergoing a period of anxiety due to the effects of Covid-19.
• 15 NGOs working in animal sanctuaries will be given more than €115,000 in aid.
• Malta was given €5.3 million by the European Commission to be used as a Fund for research and development against Covid-19.
• A cleansing programme in the various housing estates around Malta has been widened, especially with regards to the sterilization of the communal areas.
• The voluntary repatriation assistance scheme has been extended till 10th May.
• Free online courses have been launched for parents and educators.
• Primary Health Care has set up 2 centres open 24/7 to support clients who have any medical queries or to address doctor house visits to the Telemedicine Centre. You may use these services by calling on 21 222 444 or 21 231 231.
• Customs will be eliminating physical contact as a precautionary measure and will close its doors on selected dates. All services will still be provided via telephone or online. Out of office services will still be provided.
• Banks have been ordered to suspend loan repayments by persons who have been rendered economically vulnerable due to the negative effects of Covid-19. Those who have a loan may apply to defer capital and interest payments, or opt to continue paying interest only. Applications for this moratorium are to be submitted to the respective bank by the end of June.
• 250 computers will be loaned to students who do not have access to one and will also be provided with free internet access so they can continue their studies.
• E-books can now be loaned from Malta Libraries.
• The Department of Industrial and Employment Relations will temporarily close its doors and will start providing telephonic and online services.
• Irregular immigrant disembarkation will not be allowed in the country anymore. 
• A voluntary repatriation scheme has been accounced to help foreigners return to their country. Anyone interested needs to register on foreignand.eu.gov.mt by Sunday 19th April. 
• Mater Dei has temporarily suspended visiting hours, except in the case of visiting children and extraordinary situations.
• 130 officials of the Correctional Services Agency are now working and living at the Kordin Correctional Facility and duties will be changed once a week. The facility has also stopped visits by relatives to residents.
• Maltese nationals currently abroad are urged to return to Malta by no later than Sunday 12th April 2020 via London Heathrow or Frankfurt Main. Those who remain abroad after the mentioned date, will remain at their own risk as the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs won't be able to guarantee repatriation after this date.
• More intense tests are being  conducted on frontline healthcare workers to ensure additional protection.
• All residents at the Hal Far open centre have been placed under a 14-day mandatory quarantine after 8 residents tested positive for Covid-19.
• Disinfection is being carried out in bus shelters, street furniture, ATMs, in front of pharmacies and grocery stores and other places frequented regularly by the public.
• This year's Summer Carnival is cancelled.
• Non-essential travel between Malta and Gozo is prohibited, unless absolutely necessary.
• More than 3 people grouped together in public places, unless forming part of the same household, will be fined €100 each.
• A two-metre distance should be kept between one person and another in public places and in queues.
• The Government announced the following updates related to educational institutions and examinations:

- Schools and all educational institutions will remain closed until the end of June.

- Students in Year 4 will progress to Year 5, and those in year 5 will progress to Year 6 automatically.

- The Year 6 benchmark will not take place so Year 6 students will have their mark based on assessment.

- Year 7, 8, 9, 10 students will progress to their next year automatically.

- O levels are cancelled. Students will be assessed according to the marks obtained during the mock exams. Students still have the opportunity to sit for the SEC examinations during the September session.  

- Intermediate and A level exams are postponed to September and re-sit sessions will take place in December.

- Students studying at the University of Malta or at MCAST will continue their studies via online lectures.

• Development permissions already issued by the Planning Authority will be extended by 3 years.
• All persons above 65 years of age, together with persons with chronic diseases are to stay at home to reduce the risk of the most vulnerable of getting infected. Exemptions apply if they need to go out for medical appointments, to buy food and medicines and attend necessary needs. All vulnerable people can be found here.
• Feeling lonely? The helpline 1770 was launched for those feeling lonely, isolated or who needs to speak to someone during this time.
• Persons who tested positive to covid-19 and disobey quarantine rules will now be fined €10,000 per infringement.
• All feasts have been cancelled. 
• Any type of organised public and mass gathering is prohibited. A €3000 fine will be imposed whenever this measure is breached. 
• Shops deemed to sell non-essential products or services have been ordered to close until further notice. These include retail outlets which provide clothing, footwear, jewellery & accessories, handbags & leather goods, sportswear, non-prescription eyewear, perfumeries, beauty products, haberdasheries, soft furnishings, household appliances, souvenirs, discounted items, luggage, toys, hobbies, furniture, florists and vaping, as well as non-essential services such as nail technicians, tattooists, hairdressers, barbers, beauticians, and spas. Fines of €3000 will be imposed every time these measures are breached. Supermarkets, bakeries, groceries and pet shops, amongst others, are not included in this prohibition, together with postal, medical, transport services and banks.These measures are being taken to limit community spread. Delivery services may still be provided. 

What do I do if I have Coronavirus symptoms? 

• If you think that you might have symptoms that are similar to that of the virus you should not visit your doctor, any health centre, hospital or anywhere else. You should stay at home and call the helpline (111) which is manned by doctors that will then proceed to advise you whether you need to be swabbed or not, in a clinic in the vicinity of Luqa.
• In the case that you are positive after the swab is done, you are to stay home and wait for an ambulance to come for you and take you to quarantine.

How does quarantine work?

• The quarantine is to be done at the person's home. In the case of tourists, these should be quarantined in their hotel rooms.
• Persons living within the same household as a person who is under obligatory quarantine must also spend 14 days in mandatory quarantine. Failure to observe this regulation will result in a 3000 euro fine. 
• The fine for infringing the quarantine regulation has been revised to 3000 euro rather than 1000 euro. The fine will have to be paid for each time an infraction is caught. Frequent spot checks are being performed by police officers to make sure that everyone is abiding by the law

How is COVID-19 impacting travel to and from Malta? 

• All commercial flights to and from Malta have been cancelled.
• The European Commission is planning a ban on all non-essential travel to the EU. 
• Malta has banned all incoming flights as of 21st March 2020. The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs will be organising repatriation flights for those affected by this ban. Affected nationals are to contact the ministry on [email protected] or call on +356 2204 4400. Non-Maltese nationals are to make arrangements with their respective embassies. The ban does not impact ferry, cargo, humanitarian and repatriation flights.
• Persons entering Malta from any country must observe a 14-day mandatory quarantine period. This is enforceable by law and failure to do so will result in a 3000 euro fine. 
• Persons who entered Malta at any time from the 27th February onwards, after having traveled to Italy, China (including Hong Kong), Singapore, Japan, Iran, and South Korea are to self-quarantine for 14 days. A regulation enforceable by law. 
• Persons who entered Malta from the 11th March onwards, after having traveled to Spain, Germany, France, and Switzerland are to self-quarantine for 14 days. A regulation enforceable by law. 
• People are being screened as soon as they arrive in Malta and those that present any kind of symptoms will be isolated immediately. There will also be screening for all those embarking the ferry in Cirkewwa.
• People in public transport will not be allowed to stand up. The number of passengers on a bus will be limited to the number of seats.
• Obligatory quarantine of 14 days will be implemented for all those who have traveled, regardless of which country they are coming from.
• Maltese residents who are in countries that are in lockdown will be brought back to Malta and tested. 
• Travel has been banned for a further four countries: Switzerland, Germany, France, and Spain in addition to Italy. 
• Malta stopped flights to and from Italy as a proactive measure.

What other measures are being taken by the Maltese Government? 

• Measures will be revised constantly, depending on the ever-changing circumstances. The prime minister said that they will be proactive and follow any medical advice given to them by professionals. Restrictions will be added as needed depending on any changes that occur.
• Services will be provided for those who are quarantined at home and cannot come out for products that they might need. Persons in need of help to get food or medicines are to call +356 2141 1411. The people in charge are making sure that deliveries are done within 24 hours from the request.
• Foreigners that are currently working in Malta who do not abide by the rules in place, will not only have to pay the 3000 euro fine for every infraction, but the government will also revoke their working permit and therefore face deportation.
• Stock of food will keep coming in so there is no need to panic and stock on food more than usual. This will create unnecessary panic inside supermarkets.
• Schools and child care centres are to be closed until further notice and kids are to stay inside during this period. They are also advised to not visit the elderly as kids can be the biggest carriers of germs.
• This is not the time to capitalise on items that have to do with the population's health. People should not be worrying about not being able to pay for items that are suddenly over-priced.
• People at a more advanced age should stay home.
• Both the Prime Minister and the Minister for Health said that the situation is under control and that they have a plan for everything that might happen. They are treating the situation in stages and each stage has a plan to contain the virus. Dr Fearne spoke about sustained transmission and that should this occur more restrictions will be applied.
• Activities that were to see a good amount of people in one place are to be cancelled.
• Visitation to elderly homes is to be suspended.
• Offices that can work remotely are advised to do so.
• Sanitizers will be installed in many public places.

What incentives are being offered to Maltese businesses to help them cope with the situation?

• All business aid measures can be found here.
• The Maltese government has announced a mini-budget to help businesses cope with the situation. 
• All tax, VAT & social security payments due for March and April are postponed for business owners & self-employed.  

The Prime Minister informs the public to stay calm and to not instill fear in others, advising that as a population we should take things seriously and make sure to take all the measures needed whilst abiding by the rules so that together we can make sure this virus is contained. Everyone should be mature enough to cooperate for the sake of our health.