Updated 4.30pm with police data

The authorities issued 1,701 fines to people who over the past week broke COVID mitigation rules in the wake of tighter restrictions.

More than four out of every five people (1,446) were fined for not wearing a mask, and another 180 for being in groups of more than four individuals.

The remaining 71 were issued to those who broke other COVID-related rules, including measures linked to business establishments, events and indoor gatherings.

The fines were issued by officials from the Malta Tourism Association, Transport Malta, the Environmental Health Directorate, Malta Police Force and LESA.

There were also 3,091 inspections at residences to make sure people were following quarantine rules. Four people were found in breach of quarantine.

Of the 1,701 fines, a record 750 were issued by the police. 

“The fines were issued by different police districts and sections in connection with breaches of the COVID-19 regulations,” the police said in a Facebook post.

A spokesperson said that 620 of the 750 were issued to people not wearing a mask and another 100 to people who were in groups of more than four.

Another 24 people were fined for breaking the four-households rule in private residences, while five establishments were fined for opening their doors to customers.

Inspections were stepped up over the past weeks as COVID-19 cases surged and the government introduced tighter restrictions, including a limit on groups in public areas which may not exceed four persons, unless they are from the same household.  

Last week, a man was also fined €350 by a court after he was found guilty of falsifying a COVID-19 test. 

Also last week, authorities announced that 789 people were fined for breaking COVID-19 rules the previous week, out of which 706 were issued to people failing to wear a mask properly.

The fines were issued by the police, local wardens, the Malta Tourism Authority, Transport Malta and the Environmental Health Directorate. 

Those failing to wear a mask or gathering in groups of more than four can be fined €100, reduced to €50 if the offence is admitted and paid immediately.