With schools and churches ordered to close, and the public advised to avoid social outings, establishments across the Maltese islands are weighing down their options amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

Under Grain, one of three local restaurants to be granted a MICHELIN star earlier this year, highlighted the difficult position establishments find themselves in: “Whether we will close or remain open is uncertain at the moment but for the time being we are open,” staff at the restaurant said.

Other Michelin starred restaurants opted for harsher measures following recent developments. Earlier today, Noni took to Facebook to announce the drastic action the establishment is taking: “Prevention Is Better Than Cure. In light of developments regarding the Coronavirus outbreak, we are taking the necessary precautions to ensure the health of our customers and staff, and to help slow down the spread of the virus. As from tonight we will be closed until further notice,” their post read. The team thanked the public for its cooperation and promised its followers that they’ll announce their re-opening through their Facebook page.

De Mondion too is following a similar procedure. When contacted, restaurant staff said that: “Tomorrow is going to be the last day in operation. We don’t know what’s going to happen next but we hope to be open again on the 30th."

The establishments are monitoring the situation day by day.