As a precautionary measure for the purpose of protection from COVID-19, a number of provisions of the Local Tribunals (Delivery of Summons) Regulations, are suspended until further notice. These provide for service of summons by physical notification.

As an alternative, the officer is required to leave a notice at the last registered address without having to knock on the door or to hand over the notice to the person summoned or to any other person. Abstracts of summons are also to be published in one daily newspaper containing basic information about the alleged offender. If the last registered address is unknown, the publication of the extract would suffice as a summons.

During the sitting, the Prosecuting Officer is bound to exhibit a copy of the abstracts and this fact is to be noted in the acts of the proceedings. A summons shall be held to be notified following three days after publication.

https://legislation.mt/eli/ln/2020/138/eng/pdf