Further to this week’s announcement by Government and Health Authorities that several establishments can resume business as from 22 May, a set of legal notices (LNs) were published on 21 May to enact such measures.

Legal Notice 202

The order to close non-essential retail outlets and outlets providing non-essential services is now limited to spas and tattoists. Vaping shops are allowed to open solely and exclusively for sale of permissible tobacco products and for no other service, and clients are not to remain inside  the  vaping  shops  after  availing themselves of such products.

Legal Notice 204

The order closing public places is now limited to all bars, cinemas, gymnasiums, museums, exhibitions, discotheques, night clubs, indoor swimming  pools,  massage  parlours,  gaming  premises including controlled gaming premises, bingo halls, casinos and betting shops.

Restaurants, cafeterias, snack bars and clubs which have seating facilities outdoors shall principally and as far as practicable provide their services outdoors. Those which do not have outdoor space, are required to provide their service at a reduced capacity and with the applicable measures of social distancing in place. Room service, delivery and take-away services to the community remain allowable.

Gaming parlours shall open solely and exclusively to provide sports betting through the till and for no other service, and clients are not to remain inside  the  gaming  parlours  after  availing  themselves  of such sports betting service.

Legal Notice 205

Whilst the order for the suspension of all organised events, including all cultural, recreational, entertainment, sporting and religious events and exhibitions in public or private places remains in force, LN 205 introduced exceptions. Sports activities organised  in  accordance with the list issued by the Superintendent of Public Health for individual and group training of not more than 6 persons in open spaces are exempt from such order and that they are subject to mitigation measures issued by the Superintendent. The Superintendent may, at her discretion, grant an exemption if she is satisfied that a particular event to be held in a public/open space will have the necessary preventive measures.

In this context, the Ministry for Health published ‘Guidelines for Return to Sport as part of the COVID-19 transition in Malta’ laying down the conditions for outdoor non-contact sports and conditions related to sports venues.

Legal Notice 206

An amendment was passed to the Tobacco (Smoking Control) Act that prohibits smoking of any tobacco product in places where food is served or within  the  parameters  of  places  where  food  is served, such that smoking is only allowed if it is done 10 metres away from the place where food is being served.

Legal Notice 208

As from 22 May 2020, the number of persons that are allowed to gather in public spaces has increased from 4 to 6. This prohibition does not apply if the persons live in the same residence.

Should you have any queries or wish to discuss further, please send an email to covid@kpmg.com.mt.

The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavour to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.