Prime Minister Robert Abela has shut down rumours that Malta is heading for lockdown imminently, rumours that had been making the rounds extensively on social media and messaging groups over the past week.

Taking questions from reporters after a press conference, Dr Abela said he was not aware where the supposed list of measures being circulated originated from. The supposed measures highlight several strict COVID-19 prevention measures and amount to a national lockdown.

“I don’t know from where this came but I can confirm that we are not heading towards a total lockdown,” says Dr Abela in a Times of Malta report following this morning’s exchange with reporters.

Rumours have reached fever pitch after Malta announced the closure of bars for one month until 1st December, while concern was further raised following varying versions of lockdowns imposed in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Czech Republic and other European nations.

Malta has itself faced a surge of COVID-19 infections, with triple digit daily increases becoming the norm from mid-October.

Asked about business concerns, Dr Abela reportedly said that while the Government was sensitive to those establishments that have been suffering due to COVID measures currently in place, now was not the time to relax restrictive measures.

“Look at how Malta is operating, while globally we’re seeing a complete tragedy of countries having to call for total lockdowns. Yet, with certain restrictions, we’re managing to live a relatively normal life,” he is quoted as saying.

“This does not mean we are at liberty to relax…Right now, things are doing well but that situation could change quickly. Relaxing measures now could mean having to employ stricter ones in the future, and that is not something we want to do.”

In addition to closing bars, Malta introduced mandatory mask wearing in public from 26th October. Establishments with restaurant licences may continue to operate, while snack bars must close at 11pm and are not permitted to serve alcohol.