Coronavirus: Legal order forcing closure of outlets is published, schools to remain shut

Updated at 10:42am with statement regarding schools 

In a legal notice published late on Tuesday night, the Public Health Superintendent has ordered the immediate closure of various outlets.

The move comes in the wake of ongoing efforts to combat the spread of the coronavirus by restricting public gatherings and travel.

The order exempts restaurants, snack bars and kiosks that provide delivery or take-away services, and hotel kitchens that shall continue providing room service to guests and delivery services to the community. 

The legal notices come a day after Prime Minister Robert Abela announced that various establishments will be forced to close from midnight on Tuesday as the country scales up its efforts to combat the spread of Covid-19.

In a statement on Wednesday, the government confirmed that schools, educational institutions and childcare centres will remain closed until at least 17 April.

“Following consultation with the health authorities, the period in which schools, educational institutions and childcare centres will remain closed has been extended.”

Places that have been ordered to close:

• Bars
• Restaurants
• Cafeterias
• Snack bars
• Cinemas
• Gymnasiums
• Museums
• Exhibitions
• Clubs
• Discotheques
• Night clubs
• Open-air markets
• Indoor swimming pools
• The national swimming pool
• Gaming premises including controlled gaming premises, bingo halls, casinos, gaming parlours, lotto booths and betting shops