The online community has been buzzing in the last few hours with many Gozitans reporting a substantial amount of people crossing over to the sister island for a seemingly fun and relaxed outing, despite repeated warnings from health authorities to keep oneself and others safe by staying indoors.

One Facebook page, It-Toroq F’Ghawdex, used its platform to spread a powerful message to those breaking these directives: “IRRESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOUR. From what we can gather, it seems that a substantial number of people have today taken advantage of the good weather and decided to cross over from Malta to spend a day in Gozo. This was done despite yesterday’s appeal by the Minister of Gozo warning that this is not the time for weekend breaks and holidays. One asks what good they are doing to Gozo since all bars and restaurants are closed. This is ONLY irresponsible behaviour and extreme egoism that needs to be stopped immediately,” the post read.

The post generated much commentary, with many writing that not only does such action endanger the Gozo Channel crew who continue operating the vessels on a daily basis but also to the Gozitan community, a substantial portion of which is elderly.

Gozitan influencer Daniel Azzopardi also expressed his anger at the situation: “I've been holding back from exploding all day watching so many Stories of people going up to Gozo for their and I quote 'SUNDAY FUNDAY' and 'GOZO ESCAPE'....It's not the right time and the longer you stay making these little stunt outings... the longer it'll take for it to be THE RIGHT TIME AGAIN, FOR EVERYONE! What's so hard to understand?”

Gozo has so far had only one reported case of Coronavirus and despite yesterday’s announcement that more ITU beds will be added at Gozo’s General Hospital, Gozitans fear it will not be enough should a large outbreak happen on the island.

It-toroq f'Ghawdex addressed a suggestion to the health authorities and the Minister for Gozo: "As a page, we're proposing that Gozo Channel services are used ONLY as a necessity for workers that have to cross between the islands daily, for freight trips and any other truly necessary reason."

Do you agree with this?