Face masks must be worn while scuba diving and snorkeling, Malta’s health authorities have confirmed.
Last week, the government made wearing face masks in public mandatory.
“Just to be clear, if you’re snorkelling or scuba diving, you still have to wear a face mask. Being underwater is no excuse,” Health Minister Chris Fearne wrote on his Facebook page today, adding that the mask must be worn over the snorkel or regulator.
Just like on land, those caught not wearing a mask while in the sea will be fined €50.
“And if you think you can avoid wearing a mask because we won’t be watching, think again. The Home Affairs Ministry has deployed several LESA divers to patrol popular wrecks and other diving spots. We are also in the process of attaching GoPro cameras to several fish for added surveillance.”
Asked by a commenter to explain why masks had to be worn underwater, the minister replied:
“Because.”
Fearne did clarify that, if a snorkeler were to go to a crowded beachside cafe after their swim, they would not need to wear a mask.
“That would be totally A-OK. No problem there,” he wrote, adding several thumbs-up emojis.
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