Update: During a Parliament sitting yesterday, Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo said that while mass gatherings are currently illegal in Malta, the advertising of events by private entities isn't. He shot down the idea that there are underlying negotiations and said that such activities will be held only when the Superintendence of Public Health approves of them and protocols are in place. In comments, a spokesperson for the ministry also pointed out that such entities are promoting these events "at their own risk" as "when it comes to mass events it is too early to call." The spokesperson continued: "We are not giving the green light for any type of event unless we have the go ahead from the public health authorities. It's as simple as that."

A four-day event that goes by the name of ‘Summer in Malta’ is scheduled for June 2021 (3^rd to 7^th to be exact) and considering the islands’ situation we don’t know how to feel about it.

The website EventBrite, which is advertising the event, notes that the four-day vacation will be filled with “themed parties, pool parties, boat parties, excursions” and guarantees “four days and nights of sun, fun, and frolics.”

The event is being organised by a mysterious ‘CAIF.’ As per the ticket purchasing platform, the details don’t mention the hotel where this will all take place just that it’s a three-star hotel and it will be based in St Julian’s.

Considering the current situation and the fact that Malta has just started easing restrictions this week, it’s quite shocking to see something of the sort being advertised. During the press conference which announced the easing of measures, authorities kept harping on the fact that not everything will be opened at once and the easing will be “very cautious.”

In fact, this week, schools began to open in a staggered manner, non-urgent surgeries at Mater Dei resumed, and visitation to elderly people in homes also resumed. The next definite date that authorities gave was 26^th April when non-essential shops and services could operate as well as the number of people allowed to gather would increase from two to four people.

Regarding the rest of the sectors, including the reopening of restaurants, more details would be given along the way since assessments need to be done. There was a mention that the target for weddings and tourism to resume with appropriate protocols would be 1^st June but that still remains a target and not a definitive date.

What do you think about all this?