Post lockdown plan is under consideration says Prof Charmaine Gauci

At Friday’s weekly coronavirus briefing Superintendent of Public Health Charmaine Gauci revealed that authorities are currently drawing up a plan to potentially ease parts of the quasi-lockdown currently in place.

Whilst she did not reveal any further details of what was being discussed, or what lifting the restrictions might look like in practice, she did explain that authorities are investigating possible "hotspots".

“The authorities have always identified the hotspots, which are those areas where there is a high risk, and this is what the health authorities are currently doing,” she said.

Also revealed is that COVID hospitalisations levels are down across the board this week, with patient numbers falling at all the nation’s wards. 22 patients were reported to be receiving intensive care, down from the 34 per cent last week.

As things stand, the current restrictions, which notably include the closure of schools and childcare centres as well as the closing of restaurants for all but takeaways, are set to last till at least 11th April.

The Government has issued a raft of measures to support businesses and their employees affected by this lockdown. 

Businesses impacted by the restrictions are entitled to support via the wage supplement and many hospitality venues are eligible for one-off payments of various amounts.