Update 1830 – Headlines – Malta’s strategy for rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine will be announced on Monday, Prime Minister Robert Abela said on Sunday. Addressing a political gathering in Marsaxlokk, Abela said that while the government will be unveiling its strategy to distribute the vaccine, the public will have to continue observing the restrictive measures in place until the authorities direct otherwise. TimesofMalta.com
Opposition leader Bernard Grech touched on several proposals for divorce law reforms, including the removal of the four-year waiting period befor being granted divorce. “The Prime Minister has already made two statements in which he said he wants to introduce amendments to the law – but these have only been words. Over a month later these statements have not produced anything concrete,” Grech said. He suggested the introduction of a clear mechanism on maintenance payments, so that these payments are based on clear calculations and points of reference. – Maltatoday.com.mt
The health authorities have announced that there were two more Covid-19 deaths, taking the total up to 151 deaths. The first was a 69-year-old who was confirmed as Covid-19 positive on 21 November. He died on Saturday at Mater Dei Hospital. The second case was an 81-year-old man who was confirmed positive on 18 November and died on Sunday at St Vincent de Paul. Independent.com.mt
Do not give up, Cardinal Mario Grech told the faithful on Sunday during a thanksgiving Mass in which he considered that the global pandemic was not the only black cloud. Delivering his homily at the Rotunda of Xewkija, the newly elevated Cardinal said that many are confused with the current situation as the future that lies ahead remains unclear. He explained that many are left to wonder on what will happen next as they see opportunities ahead of them vanish. Speaking about the economic situation, Cardinal Grech acknowledged that a new class of poor is being created particularly among individuals at risk of losing their job. He also mentioned loneliness plaguing those individuals who had to limit their interactions with the outside world to minimize the risk of exposure to the coronavirus. – Newsbook.com.mt
Dr George Grech has been honoured with the National Award for Voluntary Service 2020 during an evening event at the Chamber of Commerce, organised by the Malta Council for the Voluntariat Sector (MCVS). The event was held under the patronage of President George Vella and attended by Parliamentary Secretary for Voluntary Organisations Clifton Grima and the MCVS chairperson Noel Camilleri. The National Award recognizes the services of volunteers and voluntary organisations within the community, creates awareness on exemplary values and identifies models for youths and society, while recognizing also the important contributions in various sectors. Dr George Grech has been involved with Dar tal-Providenza for over 15 years and provides free medical service to the Home’s residents. He was also the brains behind the therapeutic pool at the Home. – tvm.com.mt
Updated 0900 – Newspaper Review
Malta Today reveals that the former lawyer representing Vince Muscat had advised the suspect’s family to attend the official Prime Minister’s Christmas greeting in 2018 to personally request Joseph Muscat for a pardon.
The Sunday Times says that a police investigation into the shuttered Pilatus Bank is expected to lead to prosecutions over suspicions of money laundering. Bank officials were in line to be charged in August, but the case was delayed.
The Independent on Sunday carries an interview with new Finance Minister Clyde Caruana who believes that more must be done to raise the wages of low-income workers. He said that the government is intent on continuing a programme of social and economic reforms.
Illum reports on the testimony of Joseph Muscat in the Caruana Galizia public inquiry and says that the former Prime Minister retained his chief of staff when he was aware that he had business partnerships with suspected murder mastermind Yorgen Fenech.
It-Torċa reports that workers that have been laid off by gaming company NetEnt this week have approached the General Workers’ Union for advice. The union reported the case to the Industrial Relations department over breach of employment rights.
Il-Mument says that Robert Abela’s inaction against Minister Ian Borg shows the Prime Minister’s weakness. The report follows a case this week in which the minister was told by the court that his testimony was lacking in credibility.
The Sunday Times publishes findings which show that more the majority feel that traffic affects their quality of life negatively. A University of Malta study indicates that, while most people in Malta are satisfied with their quality of life, traffic is the biggest problem.
The Independent on Sunday says that health authorities are concerned by an increase in rented property in December, suggesting plans for private parties. Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci called for responsibility.
Malta Today reports that Bernard Grech’s trust ratings slipped 1.4 points from last month recording 30.1 percent, his lowest since taking over as PN Leader in September. Robert Abela also lost 1.6 points, scoring 46.8 percent.
Illum says that 53 percent expect to make more money in 2021 than this year after the pandemic is brought under control. Just under half of young people are planning to travel next year, compared with only 22 percent among people aged 65 and older.
It-Torċa says that credit agency Fitch confirmed Malta’s A+ rating with a stable prospect, despite the pandemic. The report forecasts a growth of 5.4 percent in 2021 and of 3.9 percent in 2022.
Il-Mument says that the Nationalist Party is holding a fundraising marathon on Sunday. Secretary General Francis Zammit Dimech said that donations by the many helps to strengthen the party.
Morning Briefing
Family doctors lament lack of flu vaccines
Family doctors have not received the 17,000 flu vaccines they had ordered from the government to administer to their vulnerable and housebound patients. In a statement, Anthony Azzopardi, President of the Association of Private Family Doctors said that vulnerable patients are being told to go to health centres for the jab instead.
For those who cannot leave their own homes, nurses would be visiting such residences.
The Health Ministry said that first batch of 100,000 vaccines was made available early in October and was taken up within a record two weeks.
The second batch started being distributed last Sunday only to high-risk groups, including children between three and five, health care workers, including those caring for residents in nursing homes and institutions, and adults of 55 and over. Next week, it will be available for all.
The health authorities are pushing for a stronger up take of the flu vaccine to reduce pressure on local resources which are already strained by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fitch confirms Malta A rating
International credit rating agency Fitch has confirmed Malta’s rating at A, with a stable outlook.
The agency said that Malta’s rating is supported by high per capita income levels, a large net external creditor position and EU and eurozone memberships. These strengths are balanced against its large banking sector and the small and highly open nature of its economy, which makes it vulnerable to external developments.
The Stable Outlook balances Fitch’s expectation that GDP growth will recover and the budget deficit narrow in 2021 and 2022, against continued downside risk from the path of the coronavirus and its effect on the tourism sector and public finances, as well as adverse developments in governance.
Fitch has revised down its GDP growth forecast to -7.7% in 2020 (from -6.9% previously) in anticipation of a further fall in domestic and external economic activity in 4Q20 and worse-than-expected tourist season this summer.
However, the report noted that Malta’s governance quality continued to deteriorate in 2019/2020 according to the World Bank Governance Indicators (WBGI). Particularly, the Control of Corruption and Regulatory Quality pillars experienced one of the sharpest drops in our rated universe, declining by 10.2 and 10.6 places in percentile rankings over the last year.
Government launches waste management plan
Malta’s long-term waste management plan will be up for public consultation to support the government’s vision to transform our country into an EU top performer in the waste management sector, Government announced on Saturday.
Minister Michael Farrugia explained that the main objective for the waste management plan 2021-2030 is to maximise the resource value for waste through holistic waste management solutions and adopting a collaborative approach whilst fostering behavioural change. This would also lead to Malta achieving its ambitious 2030 targets.
Among the proposals is a move towards a circular economy: Fiscal incentives to promote repair and reuse activities; the building of a repair and reuse centre; incentive use of recycled material.
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Covid-19 Update
The number of Covid-19 active cases has gone down below 2,000 after 169 recoveries exceeded 103 new cases. On Friday morning, health authorities announced the death of a COVID-19 patient, bringing the number of coronavirus victims in Malta up to 149.
CDE News
