Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1388399
2 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 30 JUNE 2021 NEWS MALTA has registered six new COVID-19 infections over- night and no recoveries, with the number of active cases now at 40. Data released by the health authorities shows that the six cases resulted from 2,250 swab test for a positivity rate of 0.3%. The vaccination programme has continued with more than 4,000 people receiving their second dose. The ratio of vaccinated people aged 16 and over now stands at 73%. Since the start of the pandem- ic in March 2020, Malta regis- tered 30,618 COVID cases, in- cluding 420 deaths. No deaths were recorded in the past 24 hours. Six new cases from 2,250 swab tests, 73% fully vaccinated LAURA CALLEJA ON Monday, Restaurants, bars, snack bars and clubs were allowed to open until 2am if their licence allowed it, in another wave of COVID-19 restrictions lifted. Sea transport was also given the go-ahead to operate at 65% capacity, and waterparks were allowed to reopen their doors. Restrictions were also lifted on fitness classes and contact sport for children un- der 17, allowing both activities to be held under protocols determined by the health authorities. There were also changes in Mater Dei Hospital visiting hours. Looking towards July, 70% of the adult population is now fully vaccinated, and the rollout of the vaccine for 12-15-year-olds will commence shortly. What restrictions still need to be lifted? From 1 July Face Masks Anyone who has taken both doses of the vaccine, or received the single dose John- son and Johnson vaccine, and has been fully vaccinated for 14 days, in possession of a vaccine certificate, will be able to stay 'without a mask in open public places in groups of two. Children under the age of 12 may remain without a mask as long as they are accom- panied by a fully vaccinated person against COVID-19. Travel Malta will start accepting the EU's Digi- tal COVID Certificate and the UK's green passport. The ministry said that from Wednesday, only fully vaccinated persons can travel to Malta from the UK. They will need to present a UK two-dose certificate before boarding. The EU's digital COVID certif- icate will be accepted as well. Children aged between five and 12 can travel if they accompany their vaccinated parents or legal guardian, provided they provide a negative nasopharyngeal PCR test carried out within 72 hours from ar- rival in Malta. Children under five do not need a test. From 5 July The maximum capacity at any social or cultural event will be capped at 100 per- sons, which will then be extended to 150 persons on 15 July. Measures still in place The limit for household gatherings is still four different households, according to legal notice 183 of 2021. The notice was updated from two different households to four, with the regulations coming into ef- fect on 26 April 2021. "In regulation 2 of the principal regula- tions, the words 'two different residences' shall be substituted by the words 'four dif- ferent residences'," the legal notice says. The wedding and funeral protocols are still in place, and should be followed. For weddings maximum capacity of attendees shall exceed 100 persons inside and 300 persons inside. All shall be seated at tables with a maximum of six persons per table, except when the persons on the table are from the same household. A two-metre distance shall be retained between one ta- ble and another. The use of dance floors is prohibited. July sees more COVID-19 restrictions lifted