Updated 1255
Three new cases were registered in the past 24 hours, identified from 970 swab tests. With seven persons recovering, the number of new cases has gone down again, to 33. According to the Health Ministry, from a total of 625 infected persons, 583 persons have now recovered.
Update 0930h – Newspaper Review
The Times carries an interview with PL Deputy Leader Chris Cardona who denied any part in the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, as state witness Melvin Theuma said in court. He also expressed scepticism about involvement by former chief of staff Keith Schembri.
The Independent speaks to the president of the travel agents’ association Iain Tonna who said the industry welcomes the reopening of the airport in July. Travel agents, however, raised concerns over the countries Malta will initially share flights with.
L-Orizzont speaks to psychologist Michael Galea who said that the return to a normal routine after the coronavirus means that people will have to adjust to a new kind of stress and warned some will find it harder than others.
In-Nazzjon says that gyms cannot open yet despite the lifting of restrictions because they have not received the required safety protocols. They are now hoping to be able to return to business from the coming week.
The Independent quotes Transport Minister Ian Borg who announced that four international consortia have submitted offers for the construction of the Gozo-Malta tunnel by the end of the pre-qualification questionnaire.
L-Orizzont says that security analysts in Malta and Europe are concerned over the rising possibilities of bioterrorism. The paper speaks to security officials who said that the Covid-19 pandemic has raised the alarm about such threats.
The Times speaks to teenage goalkeeper Rashed Al-Tumi who said that racial abuse is commonplace at football grounds in Malta. The promising talent was himself recently the target of abuse by a nursery official who has since been sacked.
In-Nazzjon says that the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin and the Union of Teachers have instructed vulnerable members to work from home following a notice by the head of civil service informing departments that workers are expected to report to work from today.
L-Orizzont quotes Ben Lesser, a holocaust survivor, who said that humans must find ways to live together. He hopes that people learn to accept the differences of others, not hate them.
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Further economic and social restrictions will be lifted today as the authorities continue to ease the country back to a degree of normality. Practically all remaining establishments that had remained closed due to a higher degree of risk, including cinemas and gyms will be allowed to re-open toady. Moreover, Government has insisted that there is no longer reason for vulnerable or any other persons to remain at home and not report to work as from today, drawing concerns from Unions. The UHM has in particular issued a directive asking vulnerable persons not to return to their place of work today.
Concerns were also raised by parents who are experiencing difficulties in ensuring adequate childcare for their young ones.
Government however forged ahead with this decision and announced yesterday that support measures to parents who had to take time off work to take responsibility for their children at home as well as vulnerable persons who could not work due to their situation will be phased out by the end of this month. The latter will receive the last payment today. Parents will continue receiving financial assistance until the end of the month.
While this debate is likely to continue over the weekend, attention is like to soon be shifted on Government’s mini-budget due to be announced on Monday. A number of trade bodies have been airing their proposals aimed at boosting the economy. A glum picture of reality on the ground was given yesterday by the EU’s statistical arm, Eurostat, which explained that in April, Malta experienced the largest decrease in retail trade (-25.1%).
14 persons have recovered in the past 24 hours, and with no new infections identified, only 37 active cases remain. Just under 900 tests were carried out.
CDE News
