The doctors’ union issued another threat of an industrial action today if the government doesn’t deliver on adequate measures to prevent further spread of COVID-19 in Malta.

Hours before the government is expected to announce to restrictive measures to contain the spread of the virus, MAM has said they will reactivate the directives suspended last week if health experts’ expectations aren’t met.

It continued to insist on the fact that vulnerable people must be protected, once again stating that discos and bars should close and that parties (whether on land or at sea) should be forbidden. They also noted that gatherings of not more than 10 people should be allowed, and the wearing of masks and social distancing must be made compulsory with enforcement carried out “preferably by the police.”

With regards to international travel, MAM noted that Maltese citizens returning from abroad should book a swab test or quarantine on arrival, while tourists should be obliged to swab up until 72 hours before landing.

MAM noted that while the islands have the lowest number of COVID-19 cases, it had the highest number of new cases per population in the EU over the past two weeks – even after excluding migrants. The union said it would reinstate all directives as of tomorrow, Tuesday, if the government’s new measures fall short.