Relaxed protocols for establishments voluntarily accepting vaccinated customers only announced

Bars, restaurants, snack bars and kazini who voluntarily choose to only accept vaccinated customers with a valid COVID vaccine certificate as of 9th October will be benefiting from relaxed protocols.

Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne made the announcement on Tuesday.

The eased rules will see:

• A maximum of eight people allowed to be seated together at a table, up from six;
• The distance between outdoor tables will go down from 2 metres to 1 metre, while the distance for indoor tables will go down to 1.5 metres when outdoors;
• Opening hours to be extended from 2am to 3am (licence permitting), table service only rule will be widened to allow bars service, provided there is Perspex between the server and patrons;
• Music can increase to 80 decibels from 70

Establishments may apply to benefit from the relaxed protocols as of Wednesday, while all staff must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to benefit.

The issue of whether restaurants can relax protocols should they only accept vaccinated customers came up some weeks ago when authorities announced the resumption of standing events to vaccinated persons only.

Minister Fearne was speaking during a press conference to announce the opening of a new community health centre in Valletta.