Latest Update- News Portal Briefing
Times of Malta reports that the head of the civil service has warned against government agencies ending teleworking.
MaltaToday reports that a Complaint on Swieqi black spot back in November warned of ‘death trap’
TVM reports that The Nationalist Party has expressed its disappointment with the Government for its delay in carrying out reforms in the construction sector.
Newsbook reports that the UPE is asking for a staggered school return
Update 1233 – Covid-19 Update (2)
148 new cases were reported on Monday, with 111 recovering. These were identified from 2,915 swab tests. Malta’s active case status now stands at 1,622.
Update 1115 – Covid-19 Update
Two more Covid-19 related fatalities were announced by the health authorities on Monday, taking the total of victims to 222. Both victims are women, aged 81 and 73 respectively. They passed away at Mater Dei Hospital.
Updated 1110 – Schools should re-open Thursday – MUT
The Malta Union of Teachers said that it was reassured by the fact that Covid-19 numbers have remained stable, and was not concerned about the return to class. However, it noted how the next few days will be crucial for the reopening of schools later on in the week as a sudden spike in new COVID-19 cases could prompt a revaluation of existing plans.
Its President, Marco Bonnici, said schools are still set to reopen on Thursday as planned, especially since the COVID-19 situation remained under control during the holidays. However, he added that the MUT was following the situation closely and a meeting with Government was expected today.
A number of private schools, such as San Anton, have opted to move to online learning for the first two weeks of the second term.
Updated 1100 – Doctors disappointed by low targets for vaccination rollout
The doctors’ union said this morning it was surprised and disappointed by the ‘very low targets’ for the COVID-19 vaccination rollout declared revealed, which ‘alarmingly reveal mathematical predictions which are completely wrong.’
1,400 people were so far vaccinated against coronavirus in the first week in Malta, as the authorities said they were targeting ‘herd immunity’ by early summer.
The Medical Association of Malta welcomed the news that Government would be procuring 500,000 vaccine doses from Pfizer, 100,000 doses from Moderna, and 1 million doses from Astrazeneca. However, it said in a statement that the vast majority of healthcare professionals were feeling let down since only one out of ten had so far received the first dose of the vaccine, even though the doses were already in Malta.
Updated 0845 – Newspaper Review
The Times speaks to the president of the teachers’ union, Marco Bonnici, who said that schools are expected to reopen this week as planned. He said most teachers are reassured about the current Covid-19 situation but the next few days will be decisive.
The Independent publishes findings by Eurostat showing that households in Malta spent 12.5 percent of total consumption expenditure on foods and non-alcoholic beverages, amounting to €916 million.
L-Orizzont speaks to Gozo Tourism Association CEO Joseph Muscat who said that the number of tourists last weekend was probably the highest in the past twelve months, as more people crossed over to Gozo to celebrate the start of the new year.
In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that the country is ‘tired’ of amateurism in politics and wants mature politicians who lead with dignity. He said that the politics of personal attacks must be put aside.
The Times follows a political address by the Prime Minister who expressed confidence that the country will avoid being grey-listed by Moneyval. Robert Abela said that the government has taken a series of steps to improve Malta’s anti-money laundering regime.
L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who declared that 2021 is going to be ‘one of the best years’ for Malta. Abela said that, besides the challenge of the pandemic, the government has restored stability to the country during 2020.
The Independent quotes the Prime Minister who described 2020 as a year of changes and listed a series of decisions by the government, including the appointment of a new Police Commissioner, State Advocate, and Attorney General.
In-Nazzjon reports that 85 new Covid-19 cases were registered on Sunday while another 64 patients have recovered. No fatalities were reported but the number of deaths in December rose to more than 80, the highest in a single month.
L-Orizzont reports that the EU is expected to finalise three separate reports on migration in the first half of the year. European Court of Auditors member Leo Brincat has been drafting the special reports for the past two years.
Morning Briefing
25,000 celebrate Christmas and NY in Gozo
More than 25,000 persons and 10,000 vehicles crossed over to Gozo during the festive season, TVM reported, in what was considered as a significant boost to the Gozitan economy following a year of challenges brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.
While this influx will surely help businesses recover some losses, according to the Gozitan Tourism Association, it will not be enough. Its President, Joe Muscat, eplained that “in the first 9 months of the year show that Gozo lost 82% of its foreign market compared to 2020 and 2019, while its domestic market, the Maltese market, had increased by about 25% which will not compensate for its overseas market losses.”
PM sets tone for 2021, Malta to race ahead by May
Prime Minister Robert Abela has described the past year as decisive and a year of commitment, saying it will be racing ahead by May. In an interview on ONE Radio, Abela gave prominence to the strengthening of Malta’s institutions and governance, referring to changes in the manner in which The Commissioner of Police and Chief Justice were appointed. This besides the appointment of a State Advocate, an Attorney General, strengthening of the Permanent Commission Against Corruption and implementing of changes suggested by Moneyval.
Suggesting that this year will be one of the best ever years for the country, Dr Abela added that the first six months will mean hard work for the Government which has to be focused on its target, mentioning that by May the country has to be racing ahead. The Prime Minister said that going back to pre-pandemic levels was not enough, but wants to go a step further, together with strong institutions and governance, principles of transparency, accountability and discipline, among other issues.
PN leader accuses PM Abela of obstructing his election
PN Leader Bernard Grech stated that the PM sought to interfere to avoid his election as an Opposition leader, adding thatthe people wanted mature politicians and not ones why trip up and try and destroy their political adversaries.
Speaking on NET FM, Dr Grech added that despite his invitation to Dr Abela, the Prime Minister had still not published his tax and VAT declarations for before 2017, and likewise had not declared whether he had ever discussed personal tax and VAT matters with the Commissioner or Inland Revenue.
Grech also spoke about ongoing work within the PN, stating that during the past weeks foundations had been put in place and much behind-the-scenes work had been carried out for the party and the parliamentary group to be united, there are a number of new candidates, the youth element has been increased and likewise contact with the people. Dr Grech said all this will bear fruit in the coming months.
Covid-19 Update
Malta has registered 85 new coronavirus cases on Sunday after 1,995 swab tests were carried out, the health authorities reported.
64 individuals made a recovery bringing the number of active cases to 1,587.
220 people have died in Malta since the onset of the pandemic.
CDE News
