COVID-19: Bars to stay shut throughout December
Bars and entertainment venues are set to remain closed, with the legal notice regulating their closure being extended “for the coming weeks”, Prime Minister Robert Abela said on Wednesday.
Abela said that following consultation with Health Minister Chris Fearne, bars will not be reopening in December.
“This was a very difficult decision but given the current situation we feel it is more prudent that these establishments remain closed for the time being,” Abela said.
“We remain sympathetic and supportive of everyone impacted by these difficult measures but safeguarding public health remains a priority.”
The Prime Minister said that the current COVID-19 situation was “stable and under control” and with a ready vaccine “a few weeks away” it was crucial that health services, particularly at Mater Dei Hospital, remained stable.
Bars and social clubs were ordered closed at the end of October as the number of COVID-19 cases grew. The ban was due to end at the beginning of December.
The superintendent of public health, Charmaine Gauci, said the decision had been taken for clubs and bars to stay closed throughout December.
Speaking on Ask Charmaine, presented by Times of Malta, she said...