Update 1230 – 80 new coronavirus cases were reported on Sunday.
Currently there are 32 coronavirus patients in Mater Dei hospital, five of whom are in intensive care, and increase of two from the previous day. The number of patients in ITU increased by three. 214 individuals have recovered and the number of active cases stood at 1,713. – Newsbook
Update 1210 – Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela, said that following the publication of the inquiry into the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, the government’s next steps will be to keep working on a robust programme of reforms and have a serious discussion on the future of journalism in Malta.
Abela during a radio interview on Labour Party station, said that the discussions will be starting as of this week. “We are approaching this challenge with a sense of responsibility and national unity,” he said. “This doesn’t mean that we’re going to agree about everything but we must develop our thoughts and debate each other respectfully.” Times of Malta
The inquiry, as expected, also featured in the speech delivered by the Leader of the Opposition, Bernard Grech. The Nationalist Party leader said that journalists should be able to break news stories how and when they want. “We want to see journalism given the respect and dignity deserved because it’s an essential party of modern democracy,” he said. MaltaToday
Grech also slammed the Labour government for serving the interests of organized criminals and called on all those of goodwill to join the Nationalist Party’s efforts to clean up the country’s reputation. Times of Malta
Popular TV presenter Mark Laurence Zammit has announced that he will stop presenting the current affairs programme L-Erbgħa Fost il-Ġimgħa on TVM, blaming interference from the national broadcaster for his decision. Malta Independent
Updated 0850 – Newspaper Review
Illum says that organisers of the Joseph Calleja Concert, BBC Orchestra in Concert, and Pete Tong Malta Classics are awaiting clearance from the Superintendent for Public Health. The three events planned for September will only be open for vaccinated people.
Malta Today says that the tourism authority set out specific Covid-19 protocols for those attending cultural events this summer. Attendees will be required to wear facemasks when not seated and an RFID wristband throughout the event.
The Independent on Sunday says that the judges on the Caruana Galizia public inquiry board were stunned by the degree of intimacy between the government and big business. Former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat had told them the relationship was necessary.
The Sunday Times reports from the Caruana Galizia inquiry which found that, as the Prime Minister’s chief of staff, Keith Schembri attempted to influence police investigations into 17 Black and the Panama Papers.
It-Torċa reports on cases of employment abuse against non-EU fishermen working on Maltese vessels. The paper says that the contracts the employees are offered leave out basic details such as hours of work and leave entitlement.
Il-Mument quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech that the party is focused on the country’s success. Addressing a seminar for electoral candidates and MPs, Grech said that everyone has a different role but plays for the same team.
The Sunday Times speaks with President Emeritus Coleiro Preca who warned against political parties taking over the reforms recommended by the Caruana Galizia public inquiry, adding that the journalist’s murder case can only be closed once full justice is served.
The Independent on Sunday speaks with the new chairperson of the Occupational Health and Safety Authority, David Xuereb, who said that safety standards need to be raised, especially on constructions sites.
Illum says that talks between the government and Steward Healthcare over the management of the former state hospitals are at an advanced stage. Health Minister Chris Fearne said that whatever the final decision, the jobs of current employees are safe.
Malta Today quotes a leaked email by businessman Yorgen Fenech to his wife in 2018 that the Electrogas power station and once-secret company 17 Black had taken away his happiness. He described the power station venture as “a massive mistake”.
It-Torċa says that 219 Covid-19 patients recovered in the last 24 hours while 94 new cases were registered. Health authorities announced that four people have lost their lives to the virus in the last 24 hours.
Il-Mument publishes an interview with Francis Zammit Dimech who this week ended his term as secretary-general of the Nationalist Party. Zammit Dimech said the party is now stronger and more united.
Morning Briefing
Former PM Gonzi recommends independent commission to oversee reforms
Former PM Lawrence Gonzi said that the recommendations put forward by the Caruana Galizia murder inquiry must be implemented as soon as possible. To do so, Gonzi suggested that this implementation needs to be overseen by an independent commission made up of competent persons who are free from the shackles of political partisanship – whether real or perceived. In a lengthy post on Facebook, Gonzi wrote that “iur country’s reputation is in tatters. It is in tatters because some refused to see the writing on the wall. Others refused to accept reality when this was staring them in the face. And others chose to look the other way because they were making hay while the sun was shining only on their pockets. All of this happened because when faced with life changing choices, the dice fell on the side of what is popular rather than what is right.”
Repubblika asks PL to sack Muscat
Civil society NGO said that the PL should shoulder its own responsibilities in view of the damning conclusions of the Caruana Galizia murder inquiry, insisting that the first action the PL should take is to start procedures to expel Muscat from the party. Muscat, the NGO said, was personally responsible for the creation of a culture of impunity. In a statement, the NGO said that “the future of the country depends on the decisions that are to be taken in the coming days. The country cannot move forward if ministers, MPs, officials and persons of trust who were identified in the inquiry as contributing to the impunity of criminals are still in their place”.
Police warn on vaccine certificate scam
The latest scam being used by fraudsters targeting private individuals related to the Covid certificate passport. According to the police, a number of persons have been asked to pay €1.88 for this passport. They are also being requested to insert the payment method and the date when the card with which they are encourged to use, expires. In a warning notice, the Police recalled that the vaccine certificate is free and that the health authorities are not requesting banking details.
Covid-19 Update
Health authorities reported a high number of recoveries on Saturday, the last day of July, with 219 patients taken the active case tally. 94 new cases were identified during this timeframe, with active cases now standing at 1,847. 3,483 swab tests were carried out on Friday.
CDE News
