COVID 19 in Malta

 

“They’ve don’t the best in the whole of Europe. They’ve really protected the people of Malta. They have galvanised the energy that is quint essentially Maltese, but it kept people safe” she said.

 

Covid-19 took the world by storm. Back in January little we knew that the world would come to a total standstill for couple of months. Here in Malta the 1st case was confirmed on 7thMarch. Measures were immediately introduced in order to counteract an increase in cases and the spreading of the virus. The Maltese Health Authorities implemented a rigorous contact tracing system by which all persons who had been in contact with a positive diagnosed person had to do a 14-day quarantine.Testing was (and still is) free of charge and available to anyone who wishes to do.  Some 89,000 tests were carried out in a country with a population of 440,000.  This makes Malta one of counties with the highest testing per capita; the country was spared total lockdown.

The World Health Organisation praised the Maltese Health Authorities and recommended their handling of the situation. The Commonwealth’s Secretary- General also praised Malta as“Best in the whole of Europe” for the way this pandemic was controlled.

 

As we stand today 22nd June 2020, the total number of COVID-19 cases since March is 680, out of which 603 recovered and 39 are still active.  Now that daily cases are single figures, Covid-19 restrictive measures are being at eased and as from 1st July the airport and harbours will reopened after more than 3 months of closure. All travel restrictions will be removed as from 15th July.  Health measures are still in force, social distancing is also recommended as so is wearing a mask/ visor, although this is not obligatory.