By Dr Graziella Cricchiola and Dr Rene Darmanin – Junior Associates
Yesterday, 9 legal notices were published, all of which are aimed to reduce the restrictions previously introduced to guard against and/or to control the COVID-19 infectious disease:
• Through Legal Notice 171 of 2020, lotto booths are allowed to reopen on next Monday 4th of May onwards;
• Through Legal Notice 172 of 2020, as of next Monday 4th of May, shops whose principal business relates to the selling of products mentioned in the hereunder list, are allowed to reopen:
Clothing;
Sportswear;
Jewellery;
Handbags;
Leather goods;
Costume Jewellery and Accessories;
Footwear;
Non-Prescription eye-wear;
Perfumeries;
Beauty Products;
Haberdasheries;
Soft Furnishings;
Souvenir Shops;
Discount Stores;
Luggage Shops;
Toy shops;
Hobby Shops;
Furniture Shops; and
Florists.
Through Legal Notice 173 of 2020 the Superintendent of Public Health ordered that as of next Monday 4th of May persons are prohibited from being in groups of more than four (4) persons in public spaces including in queues and bus stops. Previously such restriction was more stringent as people could not be in groups of three (3) in public spaces. However, such restriction shall not apply to groups of persons in public places if the persons live in the same residence. Moreover, persons waiting in queues or on bus stops shall always keep a two (2) metre distance between them. Any person who fails to abide by this order shall, on conviction, be liable to the payment of a penalty of one hundred euro (€100) for each and every occasion in which that person breaches such order.
By means of Legal Notice 175 of 2020 any ban previously introduced with regards to non-essential travel between Malta and Gozo has been revoked and consequently people are now free to travel between Malta and Gozo.
Furthermore, by means of legal notice 176 and 177 of 2020, the Superintendent of Public Health also ordered the opening of the court registry, and this with effect from the 4th of May, 2020. Nevertheless, any legal, judicial or administrative time limits for the filing of any acts before the Court following the conclusion of any proceedings which were suspended prior to the coming into force of the Closure of the Court of Justice (amendment No. 2 ) Order, shall remain suspended.
By means of legal notice 178 of 2020, the Superintendent of Public Heath, with effect from the 4th May, 2020, revoked the order of the closure of VRT stations (revocation) order. Consequently, as of next Monday, VRT stations may reopen to provide all of their services.
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Disclaimer: This article is not to be considered as legal advice, and is not to be acted on as such. Should you require further information or legal assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us on info@abalegal.eu.