Updated 1722
PN elects exco, Giglio, Julie Zahra among new faces
Lawyer Joe Giglio received the highest number of votes in the election for the PN’s Executive Committee. He is joined by a number of new faces in this position, including Julie Zahra. Giglio received more than 1,000 votes during the election held in the margins of the General Council.
Paula Mifsud Bonnici, Julie Zahra, Roselyn Borg Knight, Francesca Zammit, Veronica Perici Calascione and Michela Dalli were elected from the women’s list while Joe Giglio, Michael Piccinino, Alex Perici Calascione, Francis Zammit Dimech, Mark Azzopardi and Michael Fenech Adami made the cut from the men’s list. Mark Anthony Sammut has been confirmed as President of the Administrative Committee.
Updated 1234 – Covid-19 Update
Covid-19 Update
206 new cases of coronavirus were reported on Saturday, identified through 4373 tests. Five persons recovered, taking the active case tally to 1642
Malta to accept US certificates
COVID-19 vaccination certificates issued by the USA will be recognised by Maltese authorties as from next week, the Health Ministry said. However, the digital verification of such cards will only be available frm August. US residents receive a vaccine record card issued by the country’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Updated 0900 – Newspaper Review
The Times reports that vaccination is now obligatory for non-EU citizens working in Malta before they can apply for a renewal of their working permits. The decision by the Health Ministry impacts around 17,000 people mainly from African and Asian countries.
The Independent says that the average of patients who contracted the Covid-19 virus between Thursday and Friday was 24. 235 new cases brought total active infections to nearly 1,500.
In-Nazzjon says that voting has begun to elect new members in the PN’s Executive Committee. Members of the party’s General Council will choose 18 persons from 25 nominations.
L-Orizzont says that there were 530 cases reported to the Ombudsman last year, equivalent to a decrease of 15 per cent when compared with the previous year. There are currently 168 pending cases.
The Independent says that sudden floods in Germany and Belgium have claimed 125 lives while emergency workers are on the sites to rescue other residents. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the country was ‘stunned’ by the calamity.
The Times says that the tourism authority is organising repatriation flights to several European countries for English language students in Malta. An Italian MP said recently that around 120 Italian students aged 10 to 16 are currently in quarantine in Malta.
In-Nazzjon says that Transport Minister Ian Borg has blocked a teenage activist from his Instagram account. Julia Cappitta, crew leader of environmental NGO Earth Guardians, said she was disappointed by the minister’s behaviour.
L-Orizzont reports that a former employee of an aviation company is raising complaints for having worked as many as 300 hours in a month. The onboard aircraft engineer was let go at the end of his probation period.
In-Nazzjon asks Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes whether further action should be taken against government MP Rosianne Cutajar. Galdes said that the embattled MP has shouldered all the responsibility by resigning from her junior minister role.
Morning Briefing
Sicily confirms need for swab test
Sicilian authorities have confirmed that people travelling from Malta will have to present a negative swab test over and above a vaccination certificate. This will apply from today. Confusion had reigned yesterday after the Embassy had denied such claims, however ferry operator Virtu Ferries said that this had been confirmed by authorities. Virtu Ferries added that a rapid test is also accepted and drew attention that arrivals in Sicily without a negative swab test will be required to take a swab test on arrival in Sicily.
TCNs will need to be vaccinated to have work permit renewed
Third country nationals, particularly from most frican and Asian countries, as well as those working in the health and catering sectors, will have the renewal of their work permit tied to being vaccinated in Malta. This rule will affect some 17,000 workers from India, Pakistan, Nepal and other countries deemed as high-risk.
Covid-19 Update
235 new cases of coronavirus were reported on Friday, with six recoveries. These were identified from 3,879 swab tests. There are now 1,441 active cases. Health authorities reported that out of the 22 cases reported the day before, 195 cases concerned 10-39-year-olds, with the average age standing at 24. 90% of positive cases are unvaccinated people.
