Updated 1745- Covid Update
Latest Update- News Portal Briefing
Times of Malta reports that One of Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassins on Thursday identified a stream of high-profile leaks intended to benefit the perpetrators.
MaltaToday reports that Malta received a batch of the AstraZeneca vaccine that has been linked to the death of a person in Austria.
Newsbook reports that The new measures will continue the negative impact on Gozitan tourism said the Gozo Tourism Association
TVM reports that the Head of Department of Obstetrics and Genealogy at Mater Dei, Yves Muscat Baron, said that fathers can enter the ward to support the mother until the baby is born.
Updated 1235 – Covid-19 Update
283 new cases of coronavirus were reported on Thursday, with 338 persons recovering. Active cases therefore decline slighty, to 3,123. These were identified through 4,746 swabs.
Four persons died while Covid-19 positive, three men, aged 70, 72 and 79, and an 80 year old female.
Updated 0830 – Doctors encourage elderly and vulnerable to stay home
The Medical Association of Malta (MAM) has encouraged the general public, especially the elderly and vulnerable groups, to stay at home and to have minimal social contact. In a statement this morning, MAM welcomed the measures announced yesterday to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health service and the medically vulnerable.
“The situation on the evolution of the pandemic and its effect on the health services will be monitored closely by the association.
The group also said that it was pleased that there is a regular supply of vaccines and encourages the health authorities to complete the vaccination of people aged 60-80 as soon as possible, but called for more transparency on the roll-out of vaccination and an efficient and working helpline.
Updated 0825 – Newspaper Review
Business Today says that Malta registered 510 new Covid-19 infections on Wednesday, the highest number in a single day since the start of the pandemic. Two patients, aged 64 and 73, succumbed to the virus.
The Malta Business Weekly reports on an address in parliament by Prime Minister Robert Abela who told MPs that the new Covid-19 restrictions will ensure that medical facilities can cope with the rise in cases.
The Times covers a press conference by Prime Minister Robert Abela who announced new restrictive measures on non-essential shops and services including all sports activities. Gatherings in public will be reduced to a maximum of four people.
In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who urged the government to call a national emergency to bring the spread of the virus under control. New positive cases reached a record 510 on Wednesday.
The Independent says that travel from Malta to Gozo will be restricted to residents and other essential trips as part of a broader effort to reduce contact between people. The Prime Minister said the measures are based on expert advice.
L-Orizzont reports that schools will shut down from Monday until April 11 and go back to online teaching. Announcing the new measures, Prime Minister Robert Abela thanked the public for its cooperation.
The Times quotes Health Minister Chris Fearne who said that Covid-19 variant first discovered in the UK now accounts for more than 60 percent of new cases in Malta. The highly infectious strand is causing the spike in positive tests.
Business Today speaks to Commissioner for Business Relations with the UK, Dr Mario Vella, who said that car imports and pharmaceuticals face new challenges in the wake of Brexit. He said that Malta is seeking ways to make transactions with Britain smoother.
L-Orizzont follows the compilation of evidence against brothers Robert and Adrian Agius and their alleged accomplice Jamie Vella. A relative of state witness Vince Muscat said the men offered them money in exchange for secrecy.
The Malta Business Weekly quotes European Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli who announced proposals by the EC requiring large companies to publish information about their gender pay gap.
In-Nazzjon says that parliament will today debate the pandemic upon insistence by the Opposition Leader. The Prime Minister rejected an urgent request to discuss the situation in the Wednesday session.
Morning Briefing
Malta wakes up to further Covid-restrictions
Following the staggering increase in Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, the Prime Minister yesterday evening announced new restrictions, taking the country into what shutdown for one month from today. This includes the closure of non-essential shops and services, pools, cinemas and museums. Non-essential crossings to Gozo have been banned. All elective surgeries will be stopped from Mater Dei.
Deputy PM Fearne said that this is by far the most difficult period of the Covid-19 pandemic experienced so far, not only in Malta but also in Europe and possibly the world. He also said the vaccination programme is on track. “We are administering between 3,500 and 4,000 doses every day. 17% of the population has received the first dose and 8% have received both doses.”
Further details on the new restrictions are available in our detailed story here.
Reactions
Opposition leader Bernard Grech has blamed the country’s current state in the COVID-19 pandemic on the Prime Minister Robert Abela’s stubbornness. “The number we saw this morning, and the newly introduce restrictions are a result of Abela’s insistence in not listening to the advice given by health experts,” he said
The MUT welcomed the decision by the government to close all education institutions from Monday. The government has accepted the MUT’s proposal as presented this afternoon during the meeting held. The MUT shall be working with educators and respective stakeholders for the transition to online learning.
The Chamber of Commerce said the new government measures, although necessary, would take a toll on Malta’s already suffering business community and should be mitigated. “These restrictions must be mitigated. The Malta Chamber, as it has always done, shall be constructive in its support to the country’s authorities in this regard,” it said.
Parliament to discuss situation this morning
Parliament will debate and discuss the current pandemic situation after the Leader of the Opposition Bernard Grech requested an Adjournment and Prime Minister Robert Abela maintained the Government is prepared to discuss after the additional measures announced during this evening to tackle the pandemic.
The decision to hold the debate was taken by House Speaker Dr Anġlu Farrugia who considered the Opposition’s request and said the subject matter was in the public interest and in accordance with the Permanent Orders of the Chamber. He said that when making the consideration he had to decide whether the subject matter was of sufficient urgency as to merit the Chamber’s Adjournment.
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