Bar and nightclub owners are eagerly awaiting details about a €1 million aid package, announced by Prime Minister Robert Abela on 31st December – without giving any details – as Dr Abela on Tuesday confirmed entertainment venues will remain shut past 1st February.

Bars and clubs were ordered shut at the end of October when Malta’s second wave of infections had spiked. Initially, they were set to reopen on 1st December, but the authorities then extended closure for another two months, until end January.

In comments to the Times of Malta, Prime Minister Abela said “the bars will remain closed”, just shy of a week from the 1st February deadline.

Last Sunday, Dr Abela said the Government is to announce aid measures aimed at helping bar owners shortly, adding that the Government was sensitive to the needs of the sector that was hit the hardest by COVID-19, given that such venues have been ordered shut curb the spread of the virus.

While some bar owners with snack bar licenses have sought to pivot their business by serving food, the Gianpula clubbing village complex turned the crisis into an opportunity, by catering for COVID friendly events such as ‘The Magical Illuminated Trail’ – a Christmas drive-thru event.

New Measures

Prime Minister Abela also confirmed that unannounced measures aimed at stemming transmission rates would be announced, and will apply throughout February, with the aim to relax measures again in March.

He said that measures would target carnival weekend, from 12-14th February, in particular.