Updated 1745 – News Portal Briefing
Times of Malta reports that a Eurobarometer survey that says Maltese people feel migration is still the main problem facing the EU, despite the health and economic ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
MaltaToday reports that health authorities have issued an urgent appeal for the donation of O negative blood.
TVM reports that The two new tunnels built under the Santa Luċija roundabout started being used by vehicles on Friday morning.
Newsbook says that the rule of law NGO Repubblika proposed to the government to enforce the obligation on Public Broadcasting to provide space for minorities
Updated 1245 – Covid-19 Update
Health authorities announced 121 new cases were registered since yesterday. A further 55 patients recovered. The new cases were identified from 2,685 swab tests. The number of active cases stands at 1,770.
In her weekly update, Health Superintendent Prof Charmaine Gauci said that the most common clusters continue to be the family and work place clusters, while cases in homes for the elderly appear to be under control. There are 44 active cases in Gozo. She also said that 12 patients are in ITU.
Updated 1130 – Malta with second highest level of testing
Malta continues to maintain a high level of testing, registering the second-highest number of tests per capita in Europe. According to data published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), updated up to the second week of October, Malta’s testing rate stood at 3,335.97 tests per 100,000 people.
Only Luxembourg had a higher rate, having carried out 6,452.58 tests per 100,000 people.
In the week reviewed by the ECDC, Malta’s health authorities carried out some 16,465 tests. Since the start of the pandemic earlier in the year, a 308,790 swab tests have been carried out, included persons who are tested more than once.
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The Times follows a plenary debate in the European Parliament during which MEPs called for a ban on golden passport schemes in member states and criticised the European Commission for failing to take any action against Cyprus and Malta before now.
The Independent speaks to Caritas Director Anthony Gatt who said that the Budget announced by the government includes strong social measures, but it is unclear about a longer term strategy.
L-Orizzont speaks to Environment Minister Aaron Farrugia who said that the Budget announced the biggest investment in waste management, urban greening, and climate change measures. He said the measures will prepare for the country for the future.
In-Nazzjon follows a debate in parliament discussing a motion by the Opposition for a public inquiry into the Electrogas power station. Opposition Leader Bernard Grech appealed to government MPs to back the motion.
The Independent reports that new Covid-19 cases have risen to over 100 for nine days in a row. On Thursday, a woman aged 72 and a man aged 82 died with the infection at Mater Dei hospital.
The Times quotes a paper by a research team from the University of Malta which finds that a contraction in GDP caused by the pandemic will result in lower investment in healthcare, safety, and the environment.
In-Nazzjon says that government debt is expected to rise from €5.7 million this year to €9.2 million in 2023. The paper says the total figure amounts to more than half the debt owed since Malta started borrowing money.
L-Orizzont quotes the General Workers Union official responsible for construction and metal, Jesmond Marshall, who welcomes the compensation to former drydock workers announced in the Budget. He said public recognition is more important than the handout.
Disease experts demand bars, restaurants closure to control Covid spike
Bars, restaurants and gyms need to be closed down if the current spike in coronavirus cases is to be propertly addressed, the Malta College of Pathologists said, while also describing the recent measures as a case of “too little, too late”.
In a statement, the College said that the current method was a tactic tried in other countries such as Spain and which had failed, noting that Spain is one of Europe’s worst hit country by the pandemic.
“It is not surprising that many EU countries have understood that only an aggressive strategy, that involves targeted shutdowns of high-risk locations and prohibiting unnecessary congregations in all settings, is likely to stem the second wave.”
The College insisted that the longer authorities take to implement these strict measures; the more cases Malta will experience.
Government opposes setting of Electrogas project inquiry board
Government is set to vote against the PN motion calling for the an inquiry board, which would have examined the political, commercial, and administrative processes adopted in the new powerstation project. In a debate is evening, Labour presented an amendment to the motion, in which it removed all references to a public inquiry and called on the Opposition leader to file a formal request for a magisterial inquiry instead.
PN leader Bernard Grech said that this move by Government was intended to conceal the truth, insisting that it was denying the country an opportunity to learn the truth on the Electrogas power station deal.
“Why is the government afraid of this inquiry if it so sure there were no irregularities?” Bernard Grech asked in Parliament. Energy Minister Michael Farrugia countered that the Opposition was only interested in another fishing expedition and recalled that the project had ensured that Maltese citizens paid some of the lowest energy tariffs in the EU.
Sant to head Labour delegation in EP
Former Prime Minister Alfred Sant will take on the role of Head of Delegation of the Labour Party in Parliament after Miriam Dalli resigned to take her place in the national parliament.
The Labour Party said on Thursday the unanimous decision was taken during a meeting of the party’s national executive.
Sant, has been a Member of the European Parliament for six years.
Covid-19: Malta hits tripe figures again as two more people die
Malta’s death tally increased to 49 as the Health authorities reported two further deaths on Thursday. The country also registered 111 cases in the previous 24 hours, as Malta’s daily tally continues to hit triple digits. It also registered 53 recoveries. Malta’s total active cases now stand at 1704.
A total of 2591 tests were carried out in the past 24 hours. Health authorities have carried out 308,790 swab tests so far.
President of Malta George Vella, emphasized the importance of encouraging those who are finding it difficult to cope with the circumstances brought about by COVID-19 not to contain their worries but to open up, share their feelings with others, and be ready to accept advice and possibly treatment for their resultant mental condition.
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