Morning Briefing

CoVid 19 Malta Bulletin – Monday 16th March 2020

Updated 17:07 Prime Minister Robert Abela has announced that as from midnight tomorrow restaurants, bars, cinemas, gyms and local clubs (kazini) are to remain closed. Deliveries and take-aways will be…

Read More Here

Maltese Editors’ Viewpoints

Today's Editorials have reflected the Authorities' efforts throughout yesterday to instil an element of tranquility, with most Editors describing the country as well-prepared to counter the ongoing COVID19 situation. The…

Read More Here

Malta: Small businesses struggling to keep operations going

The Times leads with results from a Chamber of SMESs survey which showed that a fifth of members experienced difficulties in paying wages amid the coronavirus outbreak. Over a third…

Read More Here

Malta: Health system preparations in full swing

The Independent reveals preparations in the healthcare system in case of a surge in Covid-19 cases. The emergency department at Mater Dei hospital is operating as usual but part of…

Read More Here

Malta: Pharmacists want immediate lockdown

In-Nazzjon carries a statement by the Chamber of Pharmacists demanding an immediate lockdown. The President of the Chamber of SMEs, meanwhile, criticised the measures announced by the government for business.…

Read More Here

Malta: Robert Abela appeals for cooperation and responsibility

L-Orizzont follows a radio interview with Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that the current situation is “calm and under control”. Abela said that he expects cooperation and responsibility while…

Read More Here

Financial stimulus for businesses amid outbreak

The Independent on Sunday leads with a government decision to introduce tax incentives for a range of sectors in March and April to help businesses and the self-employed dampen the…

Read More Here

Government to issue special recovery budget: The Headlines – The Sunday Times

The Sunday Times quotes Finance Minister Edward Scicluna who said that the government is preparing a ‘mini-budget’ to chart a recovery plan as the country deals with the Covid-19 emergency.…

Read More Here

Covid-19 cases in Malta climb to 18: The Headlines – Kullħadd

Kullħadd reports that the confirmed Covid-19 cases rose to 18 by Saturday. The paper says that Valletta was unusually silent as many people choose to avoid crowded areas to protect…

Read More Here

Prime Minister rules out immediate lockdown: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today covers a press conference on Saturday in which Prime Minister Robert Abela said that the government is not considering an immediate lockdown to contain the spread. He said…

Read More Here

Opposition Leader calls for general self-isolation: The Headlines – Il-Mument

Il-Mument quotes Opposition Leader Adrian Delia who said that a lockdown is necessary to protect against the virus. Delia said social partners are calling for an immediate lockdown, too, and…

Read More Here

Employees in quarantine are entitled to special leave pay: The Headlines – It-Torċa

It-Torċa says that a legal advice published on Saturday give employees who are required to go into quarantine the right for special leave pay. The General Workers Union supported the…

Read More Here

Coronavirus is a major worry for Maltese: The Headlines – Illum

Illum publishes results of a survey showing that the coronavirus spread currently tops the list of concerns among people in Malta and discusses the wide-ranging effects of the disease besides…

Read More Here

Covid-19 patient in Malta recovers: The Headlines – The Times

The Times quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who confirmed that one of the earlier patients who tested positive for the coronavirus has recovered and is expected to be discharged from…

Read More Here

Incoming passengers to go straight into quarantine: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent leads with new anti-transmission measures announced by the government. Passengers entering Malta will be required to go immediately into a 14-day mandatory quarantine with fines of €1,000 each…

Read More Here

Police on the beat to enforce mandatory quarantine: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that police officers are conducting patrols to monitor people in mandatory quarantine. The Prime Minister said that spot checks are being carried out with hefty penalties for violations.…

Read More Here

PN calls for state aid to businesses: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who urged government to allocate direct aid to companies to protect their business and their employees’ jobs. Delia said the party is proposing constructive…

Read More Here

Maltese Editors’ Viewpoints

Today’s Editorials continue on a monothematic direction following the announcement of new cases and new measures to counter the infection. Local Editors continue appealing for calm and respect to…

Read More Here

Schools closed for a week: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent reports the close-down of educational institutions from childcare centres to schools to university. The Prime Minister announced the latest raft of anti-transmission measures and said that decisions will…

Read More Here

MEA warns against premature layoffs: The Headlines – The Times

The Times quotes Malta Employers Association director General who said that companies in the travel industry are prepared to lay off employees. Farrugia is urging government to offer the support…

Read More Here

Catering and accommodation businesses call for help: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that the Hotels and Restaurants Association and the Catering Establishments Association are concerned about the effects of the virus spread to their members’ businesses. They appealed to government…

Read More Here

Opposition request for debate in parliament refused: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that Opposition Leader Adrian Delia requested the House Speaker to suspend the planned agenda and discuss the coronavirus developments instead. The Speaker turned down the request after the…

Read More Here

Maltese Editors’ Viewpoints

Thursday is business day for the English-language media in Malta and most of the Editors make a case for supporting the economy and safeguarding employment in parallel with efforts at…

Read More Here

Government considering aid to businesses: The Headlines – Business Today

Business Today speaks to Finance Minister Edward Scicluna who said that the government is considering aid for businesses affected by the coronavirus. The ministry is holding talks with stakeholders to…

Read More Here

Maltese in Covid-19 hotspots to be repatriated: The Headlines – The Malta Business Weekly

The Malta Business Weekly reports that the government is making plans to repatriate Maltese residents in France, Spain, Germany and Switzerland where the rate of coronavirus transmission has risen exponentially…

Read More Here

First Maltese person tests positive for Covid-19: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that the first case of a Maltese person who tested positive Covid-19 was registered on Wednesday. The 55-year-old man is a consultant at Mater Dei hospital who has…

Read More Here

Travel ban now on five European countries: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent says that the government has imposed a ban on travel to and from Spain, Germany, Switzerland and France in addition to Italy. Addressing a press conference on Wednesday…

Read More Here

Harsh quarantine fines imposed for lapses: The Headlines – The Times

The Times carries an announcement by Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that self-quarantine is now mandatory for anyone returning from five hard-hit countries. The police will enforce fines of…

Read More Here

Coronavirus cases climb to seven: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon reports on the seventh case of Covid-19 in Malta after two more people tested positive on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation declared coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. The paper…

Read More Here

Maltese Editors’ Viewpoints

Following the news of the fifth patient testing positive to coronavirus, four of five Editorials in print today share their views on the latest developments and appeal for collective responsibility.…

Read More Here

Malta registers fifth Covid-19 case: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reports on the fifth case of coronavirus after the teenage daughter of a man who has the virus also tested positive on Monday afternoon. The patients, along with…

Read More Here

Ivan Bartolo and David Thake elected to parliament: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent reports that Ivan Bartolo and David Thake have been elected on the 9th and 12th Districts respectively in a casual election to replace the parliamentary seats vacated by…

Read More Here

Chamber of Commerce urges business integrity: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that the Chamber of Commerce is appealing for the business community to apply ethical pricing methods to basic needs amid the coronavirus situation. The Chamber said that this…

Read More Here

Swabbing centre inaugurated in Luqa: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont announces the opening of a new swabbing centre in Luqa to test for coronavirus infections. Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci said that authorities are taking it “step by step”…

Read More Here

Malta severs travel links with Italy: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today reports that Malta has cut off all travel connections by sea and air with Italy to step up efforts against the spread of the virus. The Prime Minister,…

Read More Here

Maltese Editors’ Viewpoints

A varied agenda greets readers today as editors tackle prostitution, governance, the environment and Valletta’s woes. The Independent leads with the current discussion on prostitution, arguing that Malta lacks the…

Read More Here

Fourth coronavirus case registered: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent leads with the confirmation by Health Minister Chris Fearne of the fourth case of coronavirus in Malta. The patient has recently returned from a trip to northern Italy,…

Read More Here

Government proposes new cohabitation law: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that the government is set to present a bill proposing one form of cohabitation by public act. The new law will replace de facto cohabitation, automatic cohabitation and…

Read More Here

Adrian Delia calls for hospitals concession to be scrapped: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that the Prime Minister has enough information to withdraw the hospitals privatisation deal. Delia said that that the millions pumped into Vitals…

Read More Here

Airlines suspend over 270 flights from MIA: The Headlines – The Times

The Times speaks to airport CEO Alan Borg who said that a total of 278 flights were cancelled by seven airlines as a precautionary measure against the virus spread. Borg…

Read More Here

Maltese Editors’ Viewpoints

Monday's editorials appeal for calm in their latest analysis of the local situation following the first cases of patients identified as positive to coronavirus. The Times reflects on recent developments…

Read More Here

Generous contributions to national orchestra raise suspicions: The Headlines – The Times

The Times investigates a foundation that has donated more than €12 million to the National Philharmonic Orchestra over three years and discovers links with a Russian agency accused of acting…

Read More Here

Fellow travelers of Covid-19 patients test negative: The Headlines – The Malta Independent

The Independent quotes Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Galea who said that a family which travelled to Italy with the three people diagnosed with Covid-19 have tested negative for the virus.…

Read More Here

Robert Abela marks seven years of Labour government: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont covers an address by Prime Minister Robert Abela at a political event on Sunday commemorating seven years since the 2013 PL electoral victory. Abela spoke about social and economic…

Read More Here

Adrian Delia says society needs more women in leadership: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon reports on a PN event on Sunday to mark International Women’s Day. Party Leader Adrian Delia said that society needs women at the forefront in every sector to change…

Read More Here

Vitals directors agreed on eye-watering compensation for themselves: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today reveals that Vitals directors Ram Tumuluri and Mark Edward Pawley signed a backdated engagement contract three months before selling the hospitals concession, awarding themselves €600,000 and €400,000 annually…

Read More Here

Coronavirus arrives in Malta: The Headlines – The Sunday Times

The Sunday Times leads with the first reported cases of coronavirus in Malta as a 12-year old Italian girl and her parents, residents in Malta, tested positive. The family is…

Read More Here

Health Minister says virus situation under control: The Headlines – The Malta Independent

The Independent on Sunday quotes Health Minister Chris Fearne after the confirmation of the first cases of the virus. He said that the affected family was observing the quarantine period,…

Read More Here

Five people kept in quarantine: The Headlines – Illum

Illum reports on the first appearance of the coronavirus in Malta and says that five people are being held in quarantine. The paper publishes medical advice on precautions that people…

Read More Here

Developers want new building commission: The Headlines – It-Torċa

It-Torċa speaks to two building contractors who are calling on authorities to set up a commission that safeguards the character of the traditional Maltese townscape and ensure better quality and…

Read More Here

Minister concedes failures exposed in house collapse tragedy: The Headlines – Il-Mument

Il-Mument quotes Justice Minister Edward Zammit Lewis who admitted failure on the part of government and “all other players” in the circumstances that led to the death of Miriam Pace…

Read More Here

Positive results for women in seven years: The Headlines – Kullħadd

Kulħadd says that women in Malta have accomplished ‘great advances’ since 2013 and lists a series of positive results including larger participation in tertiary education and managerial positions as well…

Read More Here

Language schools bear the brunt of travel bans: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent reports that English Language Schools are witnessing mass cancellations due to the strict travel bans imposed by authorities to protect against the coronavirus. Language Schools are anticipating a…

Read More Here

Malta will not simply replicate prostitution models in other countries: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont carries an interview with Parliamentary Secretary Rosianne Cutajar who said that the government will not simply copy an existing model for prostitution laws but wants a legal framework that…

Read More Here

Cruise liner re-routes from Malta after doctors’ warning – The Headlines – The Times

The Times says that a cruise ship was refused entry by the government on Friday following coronavirus concerns. Doctors were threatening industrial actions if the MS Opera, with 2,000 passengers…

Read More Here

PN assemblies discuss party renewal guidelines: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that patients at Sir Paul Boffa hospital in Floriana are being discharged while uncertainty grows among employees. The paper says that the facility is likely to be turned…

Read More Here

Archbishop blasts state institutions for construction tragedy: The Headlines – The Times

The Times speaks to the Archbishop who criticised “toothless cardboard institutions” for the lack of inspection and enforcement in the construction sector. He said that the fatal crumbling of a…

Read More Here