Abela ‘cautious but optimistic’ about gradual easing of COVID-19 measures

Prime Minister Robert Abela said on Sunday he was “cautious but optimistic” that Malta was moving closer to a “gradual easing” of restrictive measures aimed at controlling the COVID-19 spread. 

Speaking during an interview on Labour party media, Abela heralded the “disciplined” approach taken by people in obeying directives by the health authorities. 

He cautioned, however, that lifting all directives just because numbers in recent days were low would be a mistake. 

Abela emphasised any such lifting of these restrictions would need to take place in a staggered manner. 

The prime minister said even once these measures begun to be lifted, the government would still need to strike a balance between firing up the economy and safeguarding people’s health. 

Migration

During his interview, Abela raised the spectre of 700,000 migrants waiting to cross the Mediterranean from Libya. 

Abela kept up his stringing criticism of what he termed as the Opposition’s attempt to “demoralise” the AFM by filing a criminal complaint calling for an investigation into migrant deaths at sea following the government’s decision to close Malta’s ports. 

He said Opposition leader Adrian Delia had effectively...