COVID-19 outbreak in the islands of Malta and Gozo

Abstract

Malta, had a pandemic response plan in place prior to the pandemic, which plan was updated in February 2020. The Superintendent of Public Health holds legislative authority, making recommendations to a Cabinet Interministerial Committee chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health. In accordance with the Public Health Act (Chapter 465 of the Laws of Malta), a public health emergency was declared on the 1 April with effect from 7 March 2020, the day when the first imported case of COVID-19 was registered in Malta (LN 115 of 2020, Health Promotion & Disease Prevention Directorate, Ministry for Health, Malta.) Legal notices were successively published regularly and with urgency in relation to the public health measures issued by the health authorities, responsible for (a) social distancing measures, (b) closure of public places, (c) non-essential retail outlets and (d) lock down for those at highest risk within society. The procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE), medical equipment and all the requirements related to the pandemic response took place through a single centre to ensure adequate planning for critical resources and accountability of utilisation.