In Episode 14 of The Boardroom which aired this afternoon at 3pm, Malta’s most famous Tenor, Joseph Calleja, clarified that his stance on wanting the economy to reopen as soon as possible, including the performing arts, is a matter of survival, not greed.

As of 30th June, Malta will lift its public health emergency order, together with most COVID-19 related restrictions. The limit on public gatherings of 75 people and the ban on mass events will be lifted, however it is understood that mitigation measures such as social distancing rules will remain in place.

The news has created confusion among business owners as well as the arts sector, as it is not clear under what conditions concerts performances and shows will be able to operate under once the public health emergency order is lifted.

Mr Calleja stressed that his calls to reopen all sectors of the economy as quickly as possible come from an understanding that the stress inflicted on people, through limiting their livelihoods, will cause harm to far more people than the actual virus itself.

He remarked that while this may be a controversial opinion, he has thought deeply about the issue.

Mr Calleja said he deeply understands that for some people, COVID-19 is a matter of life and death, but that people should be allowed to determine whether it is safe enough for them to attend gatherings.

“If I die of COVID by doing what I love, I prefer that than being unable to send my kids to school abroad, than having to fire employees and all the other outcomes from having my livelihood disrupted.

“The greater common good has to come first before what the social media trolls say. We cannot, to save a few people, kill thousands or millions of others. I know this is controversial, but Mother Nature did not give us any certificate of immortality and we risk our lives every day,” the Tenor said.

“Attending a theatre is no more dangerous being in a bar,” he said.

He added that there is no right choice in this, and that the Government must take decisions that inflict the least damage on society.

Mr Calleja repeated that the arguments about the economy is not about greed, that it is about survival and peace of mind.