Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1265051
2 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 1 JULY 2020 NEWS CORONAVIRUS Doctors union urges heightened discipline against COVID-19 risk MASSIMO COSTA WITH the airport expected to reopen to- morrow, the doctors' union is urging the public to step up their adherence to the precautionary measures meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The Medical Association of Malta ac- knowledged that it was necessary for the airport to open its doors again in order to continue reviving the economy, but cau- tioned that visitors coming to the island could pose an additional risk of spreading the virus. MAM said the public should continue to wear masks and visors and to prac- tice good hygiene through frequent hand washing and sanitising. The Association also said that, although the government would no longer be en- forcing social distancing rules, the public should still practice social distancing to lower the chance of spreading the path- ogen. "The airport will be reopening tomor- row - we know the economy is very de- pendent on tourism, and we, therefore, cannot afford to keep it closed," MAM president Martin Balzan told the press on Tuesday morning. He said that Malta currently had the COVID-19 situation under control, with only a couple of new cases having been detected in the past week. "The situation currently is good." Balzan praised the public for doing their role in preventing the spread of the virus. He noted that, despite his fears, the reo- pening of hairdressing salons and restau- rants had not led to an increase in cases. "It appears there was no case tied to the reopening of hairdressers and eateries," he said. In the case of bars, he highlighted, social distancing was not always being observed. Balzan went on to underline that the coronavirus would remain an issue for the world until a vaccine was found. This made it all the more important for peo- ple to keep protecting themselves from it, especially when considering that people would now be coming from abroad who might be carrying the virus. "Now that a new risk is going to be in- troduced [the reopening of airports], it is important that we do not create addition- al risk through our behaviour." He noted that if a single case is found at a hotel or another establishment, that es- tablishment would have to be temporarily closed, leading to loss of business. "Our message is this: let us not lose all that we gained in the past weeks, and let us increase our attention [when it comes to measures to prevent the spread]," he said. Visitors, returning residents with symp- toms should be referred for swabbing MAM is directing its members to con- sider visiting foreign nationals (with no local ID) and residents of Malta returning from abroad as high risk if they present with the typical symptoms of COVID-19, and immediately refer for swabbing at one of the centres. MAM also said that it was concerned that the advice being given to the public was unclear. MAM has, therefore, togeth- er with the Association of Public Health specialists, issued a number of guidelines to the public, amongst them: • It is important that people remain vigilant and follow public health recommendations. This will reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19. • If you or anyone you know develops any of the symptoms suggestive of coronavirus it is important to or- ganise a swab test by calling the Public Health helpline (111). • Everyone who has travelled in the last 14 days should avoid vulnerable people and get tested if any symp- toms appear. This applies to tourists too. Call 111 to organise a test and isolate until the results are out. MAM also called for people to following the below key principles: • Maintain a physical distance of at least 2 metres from others • Meticulous regular hand hygiene using soap and water or a hand sani- tizer containing at least 70% alcohol for 30 seconds • Adopt mitigation measures - use masks and/ or visors when carrying out activities within the community NO COVID-19 cases were found in Malta overnight, making it the first time since March that the island has reg- istered zero new positive swab tests for four consecutive days. The past week has also seen the lowest seven-day average ever in terms of the number of new cases. There are currently 21 active cases, with one new recovery in the past 24 hours. Since the virus reached Mal- ta, 670 total patients have tested positive for the virus, of whom 640 have recovered completely. Nine people have died. Tomorrow, Malta's airport will be reopening to commer- cial flights for the first time since 21 March, as the country restarts its tourism engine. Flight restrictions to all coun- tries will be lifted on 15 July. No COVID-19 cases in fourth consecutive day CHARMAINE Gauci showed lead- ership during the coronavirus pan- demic and her daily updates not only kept people informed but im- parted peace of mind. Gauci, Malta's public health su- perintendent, became a household name and now she is being nom- inated for the European Citizens' Prize along with her team. Malta's six MEPs – Miriam Dalli, Roberta Metsola, Alfred Sant, Da- vid Casa, Alex Agius Saliba and Jo- sianne Cutajar – put forward Gauci and her team as representatives of the hundreds of frontline health- care workers and volunteers in Mal- ta and Gozo. Each year the European Parlia- ment nominates an individual or organistation who has excelled in their contribution to society. This year, the European Parliament en- couraged nominations for people helping with the COVID-19 pan- demic. "Gauci deserves recognition for demonstrating great leadership skills, so that Malta responded to the pandamic, flattened the curve and lessened the gravity of the spread of the disease," the MEPs said. Gauci's great comunication skills were also noted. "She helped to keep every citizien well informed... Professor Gauci and her team as representatives of the hundreds of frontline healthcare workers and volunteers in Malta and Gozo, have demonstrated the very best of Mal- tese and European values in using a science-based approach to health- care and containment measures," the MEPs said. Malta's MEPs nominate Charmaine Gauci for European Citizens' Prize MAM president Martin Balzan