Updated 4pm

Journalists have expressed disappointment “at the complete disrespect” with which the government is treating the laws of Malta, journalists, the public and health recommendations.

In a statement on Friday, the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IĠM) referred to an event in the morning during which a maskless Robert Abela replied to questions fielded by journalists in close proximity.

A legal notice clearly states that the temporary removal of a face mask is permissable during official public speaking “provided that a physical distance of at least two metres between individuals is maintained”.

“The attached picture speaks for itself. At an event which could have very easily been organised to include social distancing, this was heedlessly flouted by none other than Prime Minister Robert Abela himself.

“This, in the face of relentless three-figure statistics of people getting COVID-19, of an incredible backlog of cases at contact tracing and an economy which is suffering as much as the health of the people who operate it. Not to mention the sharp rise in mortality in recent weeks,” the IĠM said.

It said that without any form of measuring stick, this distance was not kept by the Prime Minister who has a duty to set an example.

The institute expressed solidarity with any journalist “who walks away from such situations”. It sympathised with those who feel that where appropriate measures for safe distancing are not taken, the event should not be covered.

It also called on trade unions to take the matter up and direct their members to safety.

OPM says IĠM 'factually incorrect', journalists should keep distance

But in a statement later, the Office of the Prime Minister said the IĠM was factually incorrect.

It said it was not true that the Prime Minister failed to follow legal notices, which were issued thanks to decisions he took to safeguard the people as was his responsibility.

The Prime Minister, the OPM said, was consistently wearing a mask according to the terms of the legal notice, removing it to address the public.

It said that although the government gave directions on the advice of the health authorities, it was the responsibility of individuals to take care of themselves and others.

In this case, it was journalists who should keep a distance.

The Prime Minister, the OPM said, was asked to reply to questions by the media, as he did, and it was the responsibility of journalists not to congregate.

The OPM said journalists had been given instructions to move back by the prime minister's officials several times. Microphones should also come with extensions and it would be good for the IĠM to instruct its members to follow such measures, it said.

If the IĠM believed the government should be proactive, other, stricter arrangements may be put in place for forthcoming events, the OPM warned.

It said it hoped the prime minister or any other member of the government will now not be accused they were doing so to stop journalists from doing their work.

It was clear, the OPM said, that the prime minister, perhaps unlike other politicians, had never been afraid of media scrutiny.

Prime Minister

In a statement the Labour Party said the Prime Minister did stop to answer journalists questions and was being criticised by the IĠM because journalists had gathered around him.

"It is interesting that the same standards were not applied, for example, when Bernard Grech was announced as new PN leader, or when Grech spoke in Parliament yesterday without wearing a mask," PL said.