Last updated Thursday 9.43.
A one-hour strike by doctors to protest over the government's handling of the COVID-19 situation was an outstanding success, the MAM doctors' union said.
"All MAM members working in public health fully complied with the one hour strike by MAM from 8am to 9am in protest over undue political interference without scientific basis," the union said.
The strike directive was issued for all doctors working in public health from the grade of foundation to consultants. Doctors working at coronavirus swabbing centres were exempt.
The strike did not hit Mater Dei Hospital, Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre, Mount Carmel Hospitel, and health centres.
The MAM has complained that a legal notice to regulate bars, issued on Tuesday, was completely different from what was announced by the superintendent of public health.
Ministries’ interference, MAM said, was resulting in mistaken decisions which lack a scientific base being taken and may lead to illness among the population and medical professionals.
It said the symbolic protest was ordered to show that public health doctors cannot take responsibility for decisions taken without their knowledge and/or against their advice, and which may result in serious harm to their and their colleagues’ health.
"Recent comments made by an MTA Director instructing establishments how to circumvent Legal Notices meant to protect the public’s health is one of many examples of how certain lobbies are continuously attempting to undermine the efforts made by public health professionals to bring this pandemic under control," the MAM said.
"This is just the tip of the iceberg of constant attacks against the public health profession whose only interest is the public’s wellbeing. We can no longer work in an environment where we are constantly undermined and called fearmongers, and we cannot be made responsible for the failure of the government to prioritise the population’s wellbeing over the short-term economic interests of the few."
The Chamber of Pharmacists in a statement backed the MAM and said it would consider all avenues within its rights as a trade union in order to protect pharmacists and society.
"The Chamber understood that bars not operating also as a restaurant, were ordered to close because many people congregate, music is loud, so people shout, social distance is not possible, masks and visors are not worn by patrons, and splashes and aerosolisation promote infection," it said.
It added that its first responsibility in this context is to continue to serve the public and to protect them and pharmacists as front liners to the highest level possible, "since evidently, the government has abdicated on this responsibility, dancing to the tune of the well known Piper."