“Practically all Covid-19 restrictions to be removed by May” – Fearne / Malta News Briefing – Saturday 19 February 2022

Updated 1415

“Practically all” remaining COVID-19 restrictions will be removed by the beginning of May, Health Minister Chris Fearne said Saturday. Speaking on ONE Radio’s Sibt il-Punt this morning, Fearne said the plan is for standing events to return between April and May, coinciding with the return of village feasts. A more precise date for the lifting of the restrictions will be announced between March and April, he said. Independent/One

Greens call for citizenship scheme to be scrapped

The ADPD remains expressed its complete oposition to selling citizenship to wealthy investors and wants the country’s ‘golden passport’ scheme scrapped before a 2025 cutoff date MEPs are pushing for. The ADPD said that it was the only political party in Malta to have consistently opposed the scheme and the principle underlying it – that citizenship can be bought. While criticising Labour for ploughing ahead with the scheme, it also expressed dissatisfaction at a move by the Nationalist Party to boycott the selection process for a new regulator for the scheme.

Covid-19 Update

Health authorities reported 72 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday. There are currently 898 active cases in the country, with 162 patients having recovered overnight. Four people remain in ITU.

Morning Briefing

Court finds enough evidence for John Dalli to stand trial

The Court of Justice has found sufficient evidence at face value for former EU Commissioner John Dalli to stand trial. The former Minister and European Commissioner stands accused of trading in influence and attempted bribery, charges he denies. The case revolves a €60 million bribe his former aide, Silvio Zammit, who passed away a few days ago, had allegedly solicited to help lift a ban on snus.
Dalli’s lawyers did not contest the decree. The prosecution informed the court that OLAF officials were expected to testify.

Protestors demand AG resignation after Court developments

Activists gathered in Valletta on Friday evening calling for the resignation of Attorney General Victoria Buttigieg. The protest took place after the latest developments in Court, which saw, Darren Debono, known as it-Topo, refusing to name any accomplices in the 2010 HSBC robbery. Buttigieg had granted him a plea deal for a shorter prison sentence in exchange for testimony on the case. Meanwhile, the Nationalist Party said that Attorney General Victoria Buttigieg and Justice Minister Edward Zammit Lewis must resign over the prosecution’s handling of the case. During a press conference, PN MP Beppe Fenech Adami questioned the motives behind a plea bargain reached between the Office of the Attorney General (AG) and Daren Debono, one of the men behind the botched HSBC heist.

Covid-19 Update: Covid-19 cases decline to below 1,000 with just 79 new cases reported on Friday, as opposed to 288 recoveries. Of the current 988 infected patients, 46 remain in hospital, four in ITU.