The Government has announced the re-opening of schools from Monday as well as its plan to relax other measures over the next few weeks.

During a press conference, the PM Robert Abela said that the priority will be given to health, education and the elderly.

On Monday childcare centres, kindergartens and primary schools will re-open. On Wednesday middle school students will return and on Friday secondary schools students from Form 3 – Form 5.  Dr Abela said that schools will re-open with the measures and health protocols in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19. He said that post secondary institutions will continue to work online.

From next week, operations will resume in hospitals and visits to elderly people’s homes will also be allowed. As from Sunday 18 April, Mass will also be allowed in Churches.

In the following week, as from 26 April, the number of people who can gather outdoors will be 4, and non-essential shops will be allowed to re-open.

Bars and restaurants will remain closed, with the PM saying that they will continue to receive financial assistance while announcing that €45 million worth of vouchers will be distributed for people to spend.

Organised sports activities will not be allowed for now. Dr Abela said that other measures will remain in effect and enforcement will continue. He added that dates for when other measures can be relaxed will be announced according to how circumstances develop.

Dr Abela said that together with the health authorities, the Government has scheduled 1 June as the target for the country to re-open for tourism and added that with its rate of vaccination, Malta can be advertised as one of the safest places in Europe. He said that in the same way, the target of the Government is for weddings to resume on 1 June with reasonable protocols.