Lockdown in Malta.

We left the Netherlands 4,5 months ago, already then the restaurants and bars were closed down due to corona, yet the shops were still open. It looks like we have chosen the right time to move away, since after we left, the Netherlands went on full lockdown.

Compared to there, Malta seemed so free, despite the outdoor mandatory face masks. Unlike so many places in the world, we could go out for lunch, dinner or a coffee. We visited museums and some other indoor activities for kids, the Aquarium and PlayMobil Funpark. It felt so unusual to do those usual things, just sit and chill on a terrace, walk into a shopping mall, visit a beauty salon etc.

We felt so alive and spoiled by the simple fact to go out for dinner in an actual restaurant. Every time I spoke to a friend from Holland or Germany, I felt so sorry for them, locked up inside, no places to go with cold weather. Honestly, I have no idea how I would have survived those days in Holland, it
sounds pretty tough.

On the other hand, measures here were and are way stricter, upon every entry you must sanitise your hands, wear a mask in a proper way (covering your nose and mouth). There is an actual person who checks on you to clean your hands and measures your temperature. In many places we had to leave our contact details and the arriving times. It seemed to me that this way of dealing with covid spread was more logical and made more sense. So for 3 months we did enjoy lots of lunches, dinners and nice terrace coffee breaks.

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. Even though the government of Malta, tried it’s best to support local business by not shutting them down, at some point there was no other choice left. Due to  the growing numbers and the pressure from the health care workers, first all restaurants and snack bars got closed then a week later they closed non essential shops and services, churches, schools and childcares.

The sudden lockdown was especially sad, considering the fact how much Maltese love the Easter Feast. Malta is all about Easter, with a very proper celebrations which includes processions and Easter Masses. Even family visits were additionally limited during the Easter.

Starting from today, schools and childcares are getting back to “normal”. Today our son finally was able to go back to his childcare after a one month break. I have never been so happy and excited. My excitement was not because I could have some quality time for myself (finally!). I was truly happy for him. All this time we felt so sorry for him, being isolated again from his friends, his lovely teachers and activities he enjoys so much. We tried to keep him active, have some regular and irregular activities with him, yet it was not the same. There comes a time, when your toddler really needs his interaction and some time apart from you. I could see today, how much he missed socialising and playing there. Hopefully it will remain open, fingers crossed.

The rest of places are still closed, they plan to re-open things in stages. Next will be the shops, most likely from the 26th of April. There is no certain decision yet regarding the restaurants, museums, gyms. Nevertheless, Malta is planning to open up it’s tourism from 1st of June, which means some restrictions will be lifted sooner or later. We really hope for the mandatory masks outside to be off, at least on the beach.
Let’s see…