Malta allows lotto booths to reopen after Covid-19 shutdown
The Maltese government has announced that lottery booths will be permitted to reopen from today (4 May) as a result of the country beginning to relax social distancing measures brought in as a result of novel coronavirus (Covid-19).
Announced on 17 March, Legal Notice 76 of 2020 ordered a wide range of venues and facilities across Malta to temporarily close in an effort to combat the spread of the coronavirus. These included bingo halls, casinos, betting shops, controlled gaming premises and lotto booths.
However, with the situation regarding the outbreak improving in the country, the government will allow lottery booths to reopen, with certain restrictions in place.
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) advised that anyone who enters into a lotto booth or shop, including employees, is required to wear a face mask.
Only one person per 10sq m of store space will be allowed entry at any point in time, while markers should be placed on the ground to indicate the minimum two-metre distance for people queuing outside.
Hand sanitiser must also be placed on entry into the shop or lotto booth, while signs with information about these requirements will be posted in and around the venues to remind consumers about the restrictions.
In addition, games previously transmitted from televisions inside the booths and points of sale will not be permitted until further notice.
The restrictions have only been lifted for lottery booths and shops, will all other gambling and gaming venues required to remain closed until the government announces further changes to coronavirus measures.
Online gambling has been able to continue throughout the outbreak, with the MGA last month publishing guidance for operators to help safeguard integrity during the coronavirus crisis.
The MGA also reminded licensees to be socially responsible with commercial communications during the pandemic, saying that as the situation is likely to be highly distressing to many players, any marketing communication that makes a reference to the disease would be considered in breach of its regulations.