A series of parties to attract thousands of overseas revellers in the coming weeks have not been given government sponsorships, Tourism Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli said on Thursday. 

The minister was questioned amid pressure from doctors and health professionals to cancel four major international festivals planned for the island.

The individuals involved in organising the events have in the past secured hundreds of thousands of euros in sponsorship from the Malta Tourism Authority.

Entertainment Concepts Ltd are listed as the operators for BPM Festival Malta, Escape 2 The Island, Mi Casa Festal and Rhythm and Waves Festival, which are planned for August and September.

The authority has yet to reply to questions on how much they have handed out to the organisers this year. 

Asked about the events, Farrugia Portelli said that there "was no sponsorship involved" in the events "mentioned so far and even the one that took place some few weeks ago", in an apparent reference to a party linked to 22 COVID-19 cases.

Pressed about whether this included the upcoming events, which were highlighted by the BBC, she said: "Yes, what I can confirm is that the board I set up has not even met and so certainly there is not a single cent or euro spent on what you're asking me." 

On mounting pressure from medical professionals to cancel the large events, Farrugia Portelli would not comment, saying instead her position had not changed from the day before.

On Wednesday she told journalists a balance needed to be struck between health precautions and ensuring the economy functions. She also did not rule out headcounts at large events. 

Pressed further on the doctors’ concerns, Farrugia Portelli said the same people had pushed for a full lockdown when the COVID-19 outbreak had hit Malta, even though this was clearly not needed. 

The minister did not respond to questions on whether she had consulted the doctors. 

Asked whether she was dismissing their concerns, the minister refused to comment and walked off. 

In the past week, the number of people infected with coronavirus spiked, reaching a total of 112 active cases. This included 66 migrants as well as two clusters from two separate mass events – the Hotel Takeover party and the Santa Venera feast festivities. 

The government has yet to officially comment on the spike. 

'Minister must recognise her responsibility' - doctors

Meanwhile in a statement later, doctors said the minister must "recognise her responsibility and stop all mass events", saying the latest cluster should serve as "an eye opener".

"MAM is pleased to note that Minister Farrugia Portelli has acknowledged that she knows about the large number of festivals which have been refused by all other EU countries and which were lobbied by the MTA to come to Malta instead.

"As no country in the EU has to date allowed mass events without consequence, one wonders which experts she has consulted," the doctors said.

They said that 22 positive cases had resulted from the "notorious" Hotel Takeover party at the Radisson Blu Hotel St Julians earlier this month, that had "700 attendees". 

They said one medical ward and two schools were closed, while a number of doctors and nurses on quarantine, the doctors noted. 

"It is possible that more people who attended are asymptomatic carriers and are spreading the virus without being aware. Furthermore, within three days 10,000 requests for swabbing were requested, well above the current capacity, creating a waiting list of one week," they said.

The doctors claim the 111 lines have crashed, forcing the authorities to add new ones to it. This, they said, "basically paralysed the track and trace procedure" tat could result in the virus spreading further while the swab test is pending.  

"While all medical doctors and other healthcare professionals have the patient at heart and will do their best for their patients, they expect all authorities to act responsibly and safeguard the health of the nation. 

"Decisions must be based on science and good medical ethics, not on economic gambles especially when a vaccine is only a few months away."