Covid-19 Update – There were 101 new Covid-19 cases registered in Malta in the past 24 hours. The number of active cases in Malta is 457. This is the highest number of cases since April 25th.
Prime Minister Robert Abela insisted the decision to introduce new COVID-19 restrictions was a “difficult but crucial” one. “Our decisions have always been based on science, and that is why we decided to roll out the new measures,” he said on Sunday. Abela was speaking during a radio interview on party station ONE Radio. MaltaToday
PN Leader Bernard Grech blasted the government as being “arrogant, incompetent, and stubbornly refusing to listen to anyone” and described its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic as “management by crisis.”
Grech was asked about measures recently implemented which shut English language schools and closed Malta’s borders to all those who aren’t vaccinated yet – a set of measures which the PN on Saturday said was “extreme” and “discriminatory”. Malta Independent
Newspaper Review
Malta Today publishes survey results showing an increase in approval ratings of just over one per cent for both major party leaders from last month. Prime Minster Abela leads Opposition Leader Bernard Grech 21 points.
The Sunday Times says that inbound and outbound travellers were angered by the change in government policy allowing only fully vaccinated persons into the country. The nurses’ union and the association of catering establishments, however, welcomed the new rules.
The Independent on Sunday quotes a statement by the federation of English language schools expressing complete surprise at the government decision to close down the industry. The federation said the measure was ‘disproportionate’.
It-Torċa says that DBRS credit rating agency maintained Malta’s A high ranking, suggesting that the effects of the FATF greylisting could be mitigated if planned reforms in anti-money laundering are implemented.
Illum says that nearly three-fourths of people agree with the use of fireworks in village feasts. 80 per cent of people in the 16 to 35 age group support the tradition, the highest rate among all age brackets.
Il-Mument leads with the address by PN Leader Bernard Grech at the opening of the party’s General Council on Saturday. Grech said the party is open to working with everyone in the national interest, not just Nationalist supporters.
The Sunday Times says that PN secretary general Francis Zammit Dimech will not recontest the post in an election this week. Meanwhile, sources told the paper that the party leadership is keen on Michael Piccinino as his replacement.
The Independent on Sunday speaks with Minister Owen Bonnici who has been newly tasked with the Equalities portfolio. Bonnici said that cannabis use reform will be his top priority in this area.
Illum says that the police force declined to answer questions Maria Efimova, who is facing an arrest warrant. A spokesperson told the paper that the case is sub-judice and it would not be prudent to comment on it.
Malta Today says that 96 per cent of respondents in a survey agreed that only fully vaccinated tourists should be allowed into Malta. The study was conducted before the measure was announced by the health minister on Friday.
It-Torċa quotes a statement by the General Workers’ Union welcoming stricter measures to curb the spread of the virus while appealing for the public to observe the protocols. The union encouraged everyone to get vaccinated.
Morning Briefing
Need for change, love for Malta – PN’s battlecry
The PN is Malta’s only real path to change and all those who love Malta, even if they are not Nationalists, should join the PN to work to change the country for the better, Opposition Leader Bernard Grech said on Saturday. The PN leader expressed confidence that the party can still win the upcoming general election despite current poll numbers show otherwise. Speaking during the Party’s general council, Grech said that a silent majority disapproved of Labour’s methods and abuses – and argued that the party he leads was the only way out. Our Malta is calling upon us to roll our sleeves up and restore it to the glory it deserves”, Grech said.
Language schools express shock at closure of ELT schools
FELTOM, the association representing language schools said its member schools were unprepared and shocked by the Government’s unexpected and rigid decision to close down ELT schools. The sudden announcement of the closure of a specific section of the tourism market will be problematic not only for language schools but also for the entire tourism sector and other stakeholders, not to mention the greater EU tourism market, it argued. In a statement, Feltom added that “this sudden unilateral decision by the Government sends out a message that a cluster that did not emerge from any breach of protocols by operators within their schools, can lead to such disproportionate and extreme measures. Inevitably this will have significant economic
consequences to the entire tourism industry, its employees and its stakeholders”.
Covid-19 Update
The number of new COVID-19 cases increased to 109 on Saturday. Cases have last been over 100 in March. With two patients having recovered, the number of active cases is now 359.
CDE News
