Good Evening
Update 1900h
A total 116 new COVID-19 cases were announced on Sunday, the lowest daily case count since January 3 and three fewer than on Saturday. The new cases were detected from 3,111 swab tests, bringing down the positivity rate to 2.83%. One patient – an 81-year-old man died at Gozo General Hospital, taking Malta’s COVID-19 death toll to 251. Times of Malta
Government’s construction reform will look to strike a balance between the needs of developers and the rights of people to leave peacefully in their homes, Prime Minister Robert Abela has said. The PM was addressing a political event in Tarxien square. Abela recalled how last week he tabled a report on the industry commissioned in the wake of Miriam Pace’s death. MaltaToday
The Santa Lucija underpass has been inaugurated after an investment of €20 million, a statement by the Office of the Prime Minister read. The project was partially financed by European Funds. Prime Minister Robert Abela, along with Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital projects, as well as Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi inaugurated the roundabout underpass project. This is the second time that the project was ‘opened’. This newsroom had run a story about this issue and the Infrastructure Ministry had defended the ‘inauguration’ of major road projects before their actual completion. The Santa Lucija tunnels were opened by the government through a visit by the Prime Minister last year, but the tunnels had been closed to traffic on several occasions. Malta Independent
We need to see how we can create a diversified economy for the island of Gozo said PN leader and Leader of the Opposition Bernard Grech. PN Leader Bernard Grech will be addressing a political activity in Nadur, Gozo. The leader of PN opened his address by explaining the socio-economic exercise the party is carrying out in regards of the sister island of Gozo. Analysis is also being made on the health sector in Gozo to see how the community is being served said the leader of the opposition. A balance between infrastructure and the sustainability of the environment is being also discussed with various stakeholders said Grech in reference to study. – Newsbook
Rapid Intervention Unit (RIU) police officers on Saturday arrested two men caught in possession of drugs during a patrol in Marsa. The Police said in a statement that Police officers noticed two persons acting suspiciously at around 7.00pm near the Spencer Garden. As officers approached the men, one of them was seen hiding something. A search on them led police to seize 10 sachets of suspected cannabis on a 37-year old man from Niger. The drug was allegedly being used for trafficking. More suspected cannabis substance was found on the other man, a 24-year old Nigerian. The two men were arrested by RIU officers and were later on taken to the Police headquarters lock-up in Floriana. – TVM
Update – Newspaper Headline Review
The Sunday Times says that scores of nurses are pursuing better opportunities in the UK, with over a fifth of third country national nurses working in Malta having already resigned or are expected to hand in their notice.
Malta Today reports that a number of food delivery service operators are in breach of Malta’s employment laws with agencies taking as much as half of courier earnings. The government said it will conduct a review of contracts.
It-Torċa says that drivers with food delivery services are speaking out against poor conditions and lack of appreciation for their work. Anonymous drivers said that their basic pay has been reduced without notice.
The Independent on Sunday carries an interview with Economy Minister Silvio Schembri who said that the government plans to roll out new economic measures in March focusing on growth rather than cost reduction.
Illum says that PN general secretary Francis Zammit Dimech will seek another term when the current one ends in March. The paper says that the party is preparing for a possible general election this year.
Il-Mument publishes interviews with PN deputy leaders David Agius and Robert Arrigo and the parliamentary group secretary Karol Aquilina on the process of renewal with the party after a new shadow cabinet was announced on Wednesday.
Kullħadd says that PN Leader Bernard Grech was forced to scrap his original plans for a shadow cabinet reshuffle earlier this week after facing resistance by members of the parliamentary group.
The Independent on Sunday speaks to unidentified experts who warned that the credibility of pardoned middleman Melvin Theuma could be undermined if new recordings that surfaced recently present contradictory evidence to his claims in court.
Illum publishes an interview with Charles Mifsud, a co-founder of NGO Rise which provides support services to inmates. Mifsud said we need to ask whether we want a prison to administer punishment or rehabilitate prisoners.
Malta Today says that landowners have applied to change local planning laws in Swatar in a way that allows them to develop 123,000 square meters of farmland into residential units and commercial space.
The Sunday Times reports that failure to summon alleged poachers after more than two years, has allowed dozens of people charged with hunting or trapping crimes to walk free. An internal investigation has been launched to identify the reasons.
It-Torċa reports on international studies that show that vaccination programmes are effectively reducing the rate of Covid-19 infections among people over 60 years by a third. The research was conducted in Israel.
Il-Mument reports that there are 1,000 people appointed as government consultants or persons of trust, describing it as a continuation by Prime Minister Robert Abela of a precedent set by Joseph Muscat.
Morning Briefing
New regulations for private Covid-testing
Health authorities will introduce new regulations regarding private rapid COVID-19 tests and the procedure related to the reporting of their results. Earlier this week, The Times of Malta had reported that some private clinics have not been reporting positive tests, claiming they are under no obligation to do so, meaning that many additional Covid-19 patients were not being identified by health authorities.
COVID-19 is a notifiable infectious disease, meaning any healthcare professional who comes across a case, including through rapid antigen testing, is duty-bound to report it to public health. The authorities have now said they are in the process of introducing tougher rules that will regulate the use of rapid tests.
Opposition leader open for cannabis, euthanasia and prostitution debate
Opposition leader Bernard Grech said he was open for a wide-ranging discussion on the use of cannabis for recreational purposes as well as on euthanasia and prostitution while appealing to the Government to address concern among people about the Rent Law.
In an interview of the national broadcaster, Grech said the reshuffle of the PN Parliamentary Group is part of the revision carried out in the PN with an aim of relaying his vision for the country. He denied there had been u-turns in his Shadow Cabinet choices.
New WasteServ centres to stimulate re-use
WasteServ will be opening four Reuse Centres to enhance its Civic Amenity Site experience and to further widen the concept of a circular economy.
These centres, which are expected to be opened by the end of the year, will offer used and ‘pre-loved’ items such as ceramics, toys, books, and loose furniture which still hold value and can be reused.
This was announced by Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning Aaron Farrugia during a visit at the Ħal Far Civic Amenity Site where one of the Reuse Centres will be opening.
Minister Farrugia explained that people will be able to obtain these items against a pre-established donation which will go towards a fund for environmental initiatives, including a bee conservation program.
Covid-19 update
Health authorities reported 119 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday. The new cases were detected from just 2,571 swab tests. Both the number of positive cases and tests are the lowest for the past three weeks. Malta registered two more victims, taking the country’s COVID-19 death toll to 250. The two victims were an 89-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man.
Also yesterday, Superintendent of Public Health Professor Charmaine Gauci received her first dose of the anti-coronavirus vaccine.
CDE News
