Long queues for Gozo ferries

Pictures of hundreds of cars waiting in a long queue to board the Gozo ferries on Wednesday drew a wave of anger on social media after reports of farmhouses being booked for house parties.

Photos published on Facebook showed a traffic jam extending from the Ċirkewwa terminal all the way to Marfa.

They were uploaded at the same time as Charmaine Gauci, the superintendent of public health, warned against socialising over the new year. 

She said the number of cases of COVID-19 had gone up in the past few days and Malta could be seeing the beginning of an increase as a result of public gatherings over Christmas.

Earlier, the health minister confirmed that the new more transmissible strain of COVID-19, first reported in the UK, has also been detected in Malta.

The authorities have repeatedly urged people to avoid gathering in groups over the festive season.

Philip Fenech, deputy president of the Malta Chamber of SMEs, said he had received reports that farmhouses in Gozo are fully booked with "house parties being organised, including DJs".

"I feel like many of us still don't get it and that we are hosting private parties because of a sense of irresponsibility," he said. "We believe it...