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5 NEWS 8.4.2021 KURT SANSONE GOVERNMENT has opted for a cautious relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions, starting with a stag- gered reopening of schools from next Monday. Non-essential shops and servic- es will have to wait until 26 April for them to reopen with mitiga- tion protocols, while no date has yet been set for the reopening of bars and restaurants. Prime Minister Robert Abe- la said in a press conference on Wednesday that the lifting of re- strictions was based on scientific evidence and very cautious. "During different stages of the pandemic we had to take different decisions according to the phase of the pandemic," Abela said, adding that the measures may be tightened depending on how the infection rate develops. e Prime Minister said gov- ernment will shortly announce its mass vaccination programme for the rest of the population. "I understand that many would like the country to reopen as soon as possible but let's remain cau- tious," Abela warned. Health Minister Chris Fearne Fearne explained that the gov- ernment's top priority remains health. "Health was always our priori- ty when introducing and easing measures, followed by education," he said. Fearne said that children cannot miss out on schools for another year. He said that 18,200 persons working in the education setting have received at least their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine. e reopening for tourism from 1 June will depend on whether Malta can control its infection numbers, he added. "Tourism is important for eco- nomic recovery and by keeping our numbers low we will be able to be on the UK's green light for travellers to come here," Fearne said. Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci said decisions on relaxing measures will depend on the positivity rate, the sev- en-day moving average of new in- fections, and hospitalisations. She did not give numbers for these parameters that would trigger the particular responses. Plan to lifting COVID-19 restrictions SCHOOLS: 12 April to 16 April Monday: Childcare centres, kindergarten centres and primary schools will reopen physically Wednesday: Middle schools (Form 1 and Form 2) to reopen physically Friday: Secondary schools (Form 3 to Form 5) to reopen physically All post-secondary schools to remain online HEALTH AND ELDERLY HOMES: 12 April Elective surgeries to restart at hospitals Elderly people home visits to restart NON-ESSENTIAL SHOPS, SERVICES: 26 April Non-essential shops to reopen with mitigation protocols Non-essential services to restart with mitigation protocols GATHERINGS: 26 April The limit of gatherings in public will increase to 4 people from 2 The limit of gatherings in households will increase to 4 households from 2 TOURISM AND WEDDINGS: 1 June BARS AND RESTAURANTS: No date yet Date will be announced in due course depending on pandemic's development VOUCHERS: No date yet Distribution of €100 vouchers to individuals above 16 years of age will start once bars and restaurants are open CHURCH MASSES: 18 April Masses in churches will restart with mitigation protocols Non-essential businesses and shops to reopen on 26 April PRIME MINISTER UNVEILS PLAN TO LIFT COVID-19 MEASURES Prime Minister Robert Abela THE General Workers' Union (GWU) yesterday met the Italian Ambassador to Malta, Fabrizio Romano, in what was described as a 'cordial meeting'. The meeting was attended by the GWU administration includ- ing General Secretary Josef Buge- ja, President Victor Carachi, and Deputy General Secretary Kevin Camilleri. The head of the GWU- CGIL contact point, Riccardo Travaglini, also attended. Bugeja said that the GWU has a long history with Italian trade unions, especially CGIL. The role of the CGIL contact point, which was created to provide hospitality, services, support and representation to the demands and needs of workers present in Malta, both men, women, young people and Italian pensioners, was explained. This reference point is very im- portant against the background of the fact that the largest con- tingent of foreign workers here in Malta are Italians. In this way, any Italian citizen who comes to work in Malta always has the nec- essary support. Bugeja said that the union col- laborates with CGIL on Europe- an platforms like CES (European Trade Union Confederation) be- cause they share the same goals and get to discuss different issues like immigration and health. He said that GWU now provides additional services beyond indus- trial relations after a survey that workers often seek other things besides industrial representation. "The GWU had always believed and will continue to believe that all workers are equal," Bugeja said. For his part, the Italian Ambas- sador recognised the importance of the GWU - and not only for Maltese workers. The two sides discussed various issues, including the possibility of working more together, not only for the benefit of workers based in Malta, but also for the so-called cross-border workers. Ambassador Romano said there are many aspects that could en- rich the relationship between the two parties. Earlier, Ambassador Romano met with the head of the GWU- CGIL contact point, Riccardo Travaglini. During the meeting, among oth- er things, the problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the work carried out by the GWU and CGIL were discussed at length. GWU top brass meet Italian ambassador

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