Household gatherings need to be restricted further over Easter to stop the spike in COVID-19 cases, a number of medical associations have insisted.
In a joint statement, the associations welcomed the recent restrictions announced by the government, although they said that restrictions have sometimes been too little, too late.
They thanked all those respecting the directives but insisted that household gatherings are curtailed over the Easter period. Only a maximum of two households should be allowed and only because working parents may need to leave their children with other family members. Strict safety measures need to be adhered to, even within households, the associations said.
Maltese health associations urge public to avoid household gatherings to curb COVID spread
Health associations are joining forces in an appeal to avoid household gatherings over the Easter period
14 March 2021, 2:54pm
by Nicole Meilak
Several specialist health associations are calling on the public to avoid household gatherings over the Easter period, as they are among the most efficient ways of spreading the virus. We are grateful to the public who, in their majority, have followed public health measures, the group said in a statement. However, we insist that household gatherings are curtailed over the Easter period. Only a maximum of two household should be allowed and only because working parents may need to leave their children with other family members. Strict safety measures need to be adhered to, even within households.
A number of medical specialist associations have said they are “disturbed and dismayed” by the resurgence in the number of COVID-19 cases, as Malta grapples with a post-Christmas resurgence of coronavirus cases.
“Although most people are behaving responsibly, a small section of the public have acted carelessly and irresponsibly over the festive season. This was compounded by a lack of political will to restrain social mixing. Let us hope there will not be a repeat during the carnival recess. Government needs to be proactive and increase restrictive measures. Politicians must refrain from any discourse that is unscientific and that confuses the public,” said Malta College of Pathologists president James DeGaetano in a statement signed by 11 specialist assocuations.