On Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Robert Abela announced the closure of non-essential shops and services, in addition to a host of other measures introduced to stem the rising spread of COVID-19.
Asked to clarify which establishments have been hit, Superintendent of Public Health Charmaine Gauci said:
Clothes shops, shops selling sportswear, jewellery, handbag and skincare shops, perfumeries, shops selling beauty products, haberdasheries, shops selling furniture and/or soft furnishings, souvenir shops, discount shops, luggage shops, toy shops and vaping shops must close from tomorrow, 11th March until 11th April.
With regards non-essential services, this refers to hairdressers, barbers, beauticians, spas, nail artists, nail technicians and tattooists must also close for the same period.
In addition to non-essential shops and services, Malta’s gyms have been closed until 11th April.
This is not the first time such businesses have been ordered shut. Local non-essential shops and services were shuttered on 23rd March, and were allowed to reopen early in May.
Charlon Gouder said the industry had registered a notable improvement in coastal water conditions this summer
The restaurant is owned by Carlo Stivala and is the first expansion since it was set up in Balluta
'When you have high rents with low margins, it’s no wonder so many retail shops are leaving Valletta,' she said