Schools to move online until end of week / Malta News Briefing – Friday 31 December 2021

Updated 1550 – Schools to move online until end of week

Students will physically return to schools on 10th January, the Education Ministry said, with any lessons due to be held next week being moved online. Government schools were meant to resume the second term on January 7th, with Church and Independent school having students back in class on Wednesday or Thursday. The decision was taken after meetings between the MUT, school representatives and health authorities.

Updated 1240

Covid-19: New record case tally

A new record 1403 cases were reported on Friday, the last day of 2021. This has taken up the active case tally to 11,441. During the last 24 hours, a 62-year-old male passed away after being infected with coronavirus, becoming the 477th victim of the pandemic in Malta.

SME Chamber pushes for wage supplement extension

The SME Chamber called for an extension of the wage supplement, re-iterating a call made earlier this week by the Opposition. The SME Chamber also called for a revision of the amount paid by the government for those forced to take the special quarantine leave. Abigail Mamo, the organisation’s CEO said that while the extension of the wage supplement until January was a “step in the right direction”, businesses needed to plan ahead, so the wage supplement should be extended until at least the end of the first quarter of the new year. (The Times of Malta)

Decisions on Uni exams to be taken in due time – Uni rector

The decision of whether university exams will be held physically or online will be answered “well before” the exams arrive and the semester starts, according to University of Malta rector Alfred J. Vella. The rector said the university is still in discussions with the health authorities on the matter as it needs expert medical advice on whether or not to shift examinations and lectures online. A number of student bodies, including the KSU, have asked University to hold online exams. (The Malta Independent)

Morning Briefing

Victor Calvagna ‘brain dead’, wife says on Facebook

An outpour of grief spread through social media after the wife of Victor Calvagna, president of Puttinu Cares, wrote on Facebook that her husband was breain dead, adding that treatment was being withdrawn to let nature take its course. The cancer specialist, 63, was run over by a car in Qawra on Wednesday evening.

Former prisoner director gets Libya appointment

Alex Dalli has been appointed as the government’s special representative in Libya, dealing with matters of national security, particularly migration. Dalli, who recently resigned after a hugely controversial experience as director of prisons, will also represent the country on the Malta-Libya Coordination Centre for the fight against illegal migration.
Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said Dalli had been appointed on the basis of his vast experience in the armed forces.
Dalli had suspended himself from his role in prison after accusations of a high number of deaths, including through suicide, among prisoners under his watch.

Covid-19 Update

Active cases climbed above 10,000 on Thursday with health authorities reproting 1353 new cases and 172 recoveries. 94 persons are now hospitalised, six of whom in ITU.