An Introduction

by Gavin Muscat

After years of avoiding major outbreaks, the COVID-19 pandemic hit Malta relatively hard and for the first time in decades and decades, the nation was tested for its ability to keep calm and protect itself. Our northern Italian neighbours were hit especially hard and it became clear that our fears were confirmed and that this would be no joke. By March, the government authorities placed several restrictions such as closing non-essential businesses and prohibiting the gathering of more than three people. Such initiatives were mostly praised by the general public, although there were a certain amount of people who felt that such restrictions had been placed too late.

However, after two months and much paranoia, the health authorities would announce that some restrictions that had been placed would be lifted. This announcement was met with mixed reactions. While some felt that shop owners would benefit by finally getting back some of the lost business, others feared that such a decision was taken too lightly and that this would only propagate the idea of the second wave of the disease. Shop owners have stated that business has been incredibly slow and admitted that on some days, it was not worth opening their shop as it resulted in further losses.

Life after the COVID-19 pandemic will not be the same. The lenient attitudes will be replaced by increased funding to the health sector and increased awareness of how diseases spread and how it can be avoided. Charmaine Gauci was placed on the hypothetical throne and she served as the figure that would deliver the good and bad news. Her charismatic personality seemed to soften the blow that was the worst of news and her appointment showed that the health authorities were willing to appoint an individual that was independent from any political party. It also showed how the authorities chose to take a more organised approach to informing the public on the daily reports that most probably saw the huge rise in television ratings.

However, the question remains. Can Malta as a nation truly recover from such a disastrous pandemic? The economy has surely taken a heavy blow and government aid will be necessary to ensure that the population does not bear witness to another recession. Local businesses have already started reporting much less business and although this is understandable until people are able to save up, the dry period may just ring the death bell for smaller businesses who relied on the local population. Although larger businesses may be able to recover from such a hit, there is no doubt that the hospitality sector will face a gigantic struggle as they will have to come to terms with a summer with barely any tourists.

I interviewed a local retailer who specialises in renting sunbeds and umbrellas in Għadira Bay. The retailer, who wished to remain anonymous, flatly stated that without the influx of tourists who visit Malta for its sunny weather and beaches, the business will either have to offload a number of workers or be forced to close down. The retailer also mentioned that no financial aid was given to them as the authorities failed to realise that the business is only open during the summer months and therefore, he was left high and dry. Another issue that was outlined was how even the number of locals who visit the bays will be significantly reduced since many locals will choose to go frugal in the coming months to recoup their losses due to the pandemic.

I also talked with a university graduate who volunteered to work at Mater Dei hospital after a call was put out. The graduate felt that although the nation took many good initiatives to ensure that infections are kept low, there was still a disappointing amount of citizens who disregarded orders to stay indoors and later make use of masks when non-essential businesses were opened. The graduate jokingly mentioned how the old stubborn Maltese mentality reigned despite the ongoing pandemic. For example, the graduate said that some people chose to gather in large groups as they simply ignored the orders or outright chose to not believe that the disease could affect them and those around them. The cases that the graduate mentioned were those where a large number of bikers met up and where several people still held parties in their own households. The graduate also criticised citizens who chose not to wear masks when entering shops and said that they could not understand how some people preferred to be infected rather than wear a mask.

In conclusion, although the nation seems to have done well enough to hold the pandemic down and avoid any unnecessary crises, there are still a number of issues that have plagued the population. However, recovery from such a pandemic is not impossible and in an article for the Times of Malta, Joseph Galea stated that the hospitality sector will be able to recover if they can turn a crisis into an opportunity.