‘We Deserve Answers’: Maltese Wedding Vendor Calls Out ‘Mixed Messages’ From Authorities That Left Them In The Dark
A Maltese wedding vendor has opened up about the precarious position the wedding industry has been left in following weeks of “mixed messages” from the government.
“Whilst other industries were getting guidelines on how to get back on track, our industry (both vendors as well as couples) was pretty much ignored and left in the dark,” said Malcolm Debono, a principal cinematographer with Malta Wedding Films.
“All we asked for was guidance – not just to get a better idea of where we stand, but rather to know how to respond to couples who were turning to us for answers in such confusing times.”
Debono’s comments come as Malta’s government begins lifting restrictive measures put in place in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. A previous 75-person limit for gatherings will be lifted by the end of June – however, the government is still urging people to follow social distancing guidelines.
Weddings can still take place – but Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne has still urged social distancing.
“Enough with the mixed messages.”
With couples and wedding organisers seeking advice, wedding vendors felt at a loss as to what to do.
“What we got was one slap to the face after another – seeing people celebrating in groups, others drinking outside with barely any space to walk through, general lack of enforcement, promises of amnesties, politicians uploading photos on social media ignoring the same social measures they are preaching, and the list goes on,” he said.
After months of following authorities’ advice, to the detriment of their industry, Maltese wedding vendors are now riling at how the lifting of measures was handled.
“We don’t want opinions that contradict what your own colleagues’ previously said. We deserve answers, irrelevant of how hard they may be. As our elected representatives, surely that’s not too much to ask for,” he ended.
Photo credit: Malcolm Debono
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