Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1232859
2 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 8 APRIL 2020 NEWS CORONAVIRUS MALTESE nationals current- ly abroad are being urged to make their way back to Malta by no later than 12 April, the Foreign Ministry said. "In view of the ever-increas- ing spread of the Covid-19 and in view of the increasing lock- downs of airports abroad, Mal- tese nationals currently abroad are urged to make their way to Malta by no later than Sun- day 12 April 2020 via London Heathrow or Frankfurt Main, by making use of any available commercial flights," the min- istry said in a statement. For reservation of repara- tions flights, the ministry ad- vised that persons send the flight itinerary together with a copy of their passport bio page to sitcen.mfea@gov.mt. "Persons who choose to re- main abroad after the 12 April 2020, will remain at their own risk. The Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs cannot guarantee repatriation after this date." This also applies to third-country nationals in pos- session of a valid Maltese resi- dence permit. For reservation of repatriation flights, a copy of the passport and residence card is to be submitted togeth- er with the flight itinerary to sitcen.mfea@gov.mt. The ministry said those per- sons who are unable to travel because of imposed lockdowns should inform them on sitcen. mfea@gov.mt. "Those who have are already registered with the Ministry are also urged to send an email with an update of their current status." The Situation Centre at the Ministry for Foreign and Eu- ropean Affairs is open from 8am to 8pm from Monday to Sunday and can be reached by phone on +356 2204 2200. Reservations for repatriation flights will only be accepted by email. Maltese citizens urged to return to Malta by 12 April INCREASED testing for COV- ID-19 will take place among healthcare workers, Health Min- ister Chris Fearne announced on social media. Malta has its fair share of healthcare workers who con- tracted the virus, especially in the initial staged when imported cases were being recorded. However, on Monday, anoth- er case involving a 54-year-old male healthcare worker, who was both at Mater Dei Hospital and Mount Carmel, emerged and contact tracing was still go- ing on to determine from where he could have contracted the in- fection. In total Malta has so far car- ried out 10,923 swab tests, with 555 tests taking place on Sunday night alone. The island so far has one of the highest testing rates in Europe. On 2 April it was announced that a machine capable of testing 800 samples each day for COV- ID-19 would start being used. The robotic machine, which will be housed at Mater Dei's Pathology Department, can pro- cess test results within minutes. Malta is one of the first countries in Europe to have access to such a machine. Increased testing of healthcare workers PRIME Minister Robert Abela has insist- ed that despite the steep rise in new Cov- id-19 cases on Tuesday, 52, there was no room for further restrictive measures at this time. Speaking on ONE TV's Pjazza last night, Abela said that the sharp rise in cases was anticipated by the govern- ment and the health authorities and that such a rise was expected earlier. "We knew this day would come. We thought it would come earlier. We an- ticipated it and we are prepared for it, we are prepared for the worst, but there is no room for further restrictive meas- ures at this time," he said, adding that if today's sharp rise in cases is followed by another upsurge of positive cases, this could quickly change. Abela contended that not enforcing a total lockdown at an earlier stage was still the correct decision and that the measures introduced gradually was pre- ferred. "I feel the pressure of responsibili- ty," he admitted. "Malta hasn't gone through a tougher time since the war, but people are encouraging me. I en- joy going to the frontline, I'm not the kind of person to sit behind a desk. I see the sense of solidarity and respon- sibility amongst the Armed Forces, the health authorities, the doctors," he said, adding that since 13 January, Malta has faced one crisis after another, but has performed well during these challenges. Speaking about the EU's response to the crisis, Abela said that while he ex- pected the bloc to react more tangibly and to take stronger decisions, the virus originating from China in November had taken the world by surprise. Abela criticised anyone who was at- tempting to garner political mileage out of the current crisis and said that the government was not divided on the health measures being issued. "All legal notices released, all preven- tive measures, the closing of airports, ports and schools, were signed by health minister Chris Fearne, the public health superintendent Charmaine Gauci, and myself. We always agreed completely on these measures. There are, however, those who are insensitive and are riding on the fear of the people." Abela referred to the mandatory quar- antine imposed on the Hal Far open centre and said that this was not a dis- criminatory move but a strategy to safe- guard the public health. Surveillance, he said, was being car- ried out by police and the Armed Forces at all times. Prime Minister Robert Abela says total lockdown is not the correct way forward and that he is in complete agreement with the health authorities on the health measures being issued No room for further restrictive measures at this time, Abela says Prime minister Robert Abela