New & now
Petition to ‘re-open organized sports & gyms to encourage healthy lifestyles’ making the rounds
Would you sign?

Jillian Mallia

“One year on from the start of the Covid pandemic, it is very clear that there were very few transmissions of the virus from sports activities here in Malta,” a new petition that is making the rounds reads. Created by Stephen Swain, the petition addresses the Prime Minister of Malta, Robert Abela.

“It is also clear that people who lead healthy lifestyles and are active are much less at risk of developing serious symptoms from Covid,” the petition’s description states, which is also accompanied by a pie chart that shows that “household and social gatherings have been linked to more than 75 per cent of active cases.”

“Yet the Maltese government goes on with the policy of keeping gyms closed and banning organized sports activities.  This cannot go on.  Our physical and mental health is important! We keep our health and immune systems strong by being active.”

“Obesity, depression, heart problems, etc, all kill more people every year.  Malta is officially one of the worst countries in the EU when it comes to dealing with obesity problems, yet these restrictions will only serve to aggravate these problems!” the petition continues to note.

“We urge the Maltese government to lift the ban on organized sports, allow the re-opening of gyms, and actually implement policies that encourage healthy lifestyles rather than promoting fear!”

Gyms and organised sports had to once again close their doors on 12th March for the quasi-lockdown that the country went into to curb the spread. In last week’s press conference, the government announced it would be taking a ‘cautious’ and staggered approach to the reopening, easing certain restrictions at a time and performing assessments before easing anymore. As yet, the target date to reopen gyms and to allow organized sports to commence once again hasn’t been announced.

16th April 2021


Jillian Mallia
Written by
Jillian Mallia
A book lover, writer and globetrotter who loves exploring new places and the local gems that the Maltese Islands have to offer. An avid foodie and arts fanatic, Jillian searches the island and beyond for the perfect settings to write about.

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