“It is crucial that we continue to enforce the regulations despite the fact that I understand that no one enjoys having a lot of enforcement. We are doing well but more enforcement will be needed. This does not mean that we will kill one sector or another, but on the contrary, it means that the increased enforcement will translate into leaving the sectors open and getting out of this period successfully ”.
This was stated by the Prime Minister Robert Abela in another consultation meeting he had in the Auberge de Castille with the representatives of the Malta Association for Hotels and Restaurants the MHRA in connection with the Budget for the year d the next.
Dr Abela said he understands that there are sectors such as bars that are complaining about the ongoing enforcement, but stressed that this is necessary to get out of this period successfully.
The Prime Minister also stressed the need for everyone to wear the mask to better control the rate of infections. He said that through educational campaigns we want to convey the message about the importance of wearing masks and its wider use.
He also spoke about the need for more screening and reiterated that the solution is not to close the airport. He said that it is crucial to have a rapid testing system and to increase the tests of people who are arriving in Malta and who do not have a negative certificate. He said that we currently have a system that is working well but that can be strengthened also through PCR testing of passengers coming to Malta.
While claiming that we do not want to go to extremes, he called for balance and said that these measures will not stifle the country but will better preserve the economic sectors of our country.
Dr Abela also stressed that what we decide on today will be sustainable and said he is confident that tomorrow will be better. He reiterated that we cannot say that things will normalize on their own because from experience we have seen that if the government does not update the measures it has taken and maintains a cautious control of the situation, things can get worse.
He called for us to continue at the pace we have taken in our country where unlike other countries where some are in lockdowns or almost in partial lockdowns, he said that in Malta we have managed to keep the economic cycle and daily life going on.
He said that in order to be able to maintain this, the people must be more responsible. He said that the easiest thing for the government is to increase the restrictions and therefore called for us to continue to obey the regulations so that together we can go through this period among the most difficult in the world successfully and then run away in the pursuit. of the success that this country has experienced in the last seven years.
For his part, MHRA President Tony Zahra said that before us we have great challenges but said that there is no doubt that together we can overcome them. He said that with the help of the government we can get out of this global crisis particularly in the field of hospitality which was among the hardest hit by the pandemic.
He thanked the government for the help it extended to the tourism sector and also thanked the frontliners in every field so that our country could keep going. Mr Zahra called for decisions to continue to be taken together with a view to getting out of this stronger situation.
