Chandlers and port workers operating in Paola, in an area known as Ras Hanzir, have stopped their operations over coronavirus fears.
MaltaToday is informed that port workers are complaining of a lack of medical staff in the area as they handle cargo that has arrived from Italian ports.
The cargo in question concerns retail food and other supplies.
Three vessels are not discharging their cargo and are threatening to return will full cargo on board to Italy. This while Maltese port workers claim they are not convinced with documents showing that the vessels have been given the all clear.
Six people have died in Italy due to the rise in new COVID-19 cases since Saturday. Italy has by far the highest number of coronavirus cases in Europe, with 219.
Lombardy, where the spread is said to have originated, has been put into lockdown and about 50,000 people have been ordered to stay indoors as strict quarantine restrictions have been introduced.
The new strain of coronavirus, which originated last year in Hubei province in China, causes a respiratory disease called Covid-19. China has seen more than 76,000 infections and 2,442 deaths.
This story is being updated.
