Latest Update- News Portal Briefing
Times of Malta reports that commotion broke out in court on Thursday as two of the men charged with detonating the explosive device which killed Daphne Caruana Galizia claimed their rights were being breached.
MaltaToday reports that the Secretariat for Catholic Education and the Association of Church Schools says teachers’ union UPE is engaging in ‘irresponsible behaviour’ by publishing COVID-19 cases on its Facebook page
Newsbook reports that Public services play an important role in addressing poverty and social exclusion, Caritas Europe noted in its study on barriers obstructing access to those in need.
TVM reports that the PM says time has come to create European vaccine certificate
Updated 1245
Covid-19 update
The Health Department reported 187 new cases of coronavirus in the previous 24 hours,
with 189 recovering. The number of active cases has reached 2,831. 3,879 swab tests were
carried out in the past 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the number of deaths linked to Covid-19 has reached 244. 14,276 vaccine doses
were administered until yesterday.
Updated 1145: 16 cruise liners berthed in Malta in last three months of 2020
Total cruise passenger traffic during the fourth quarter of 2020 amounted to 11,825, a decrease of 92.9 per cent over the corresponding period in 2019, the NSO said today. There were 16 cruise liner calls during the fourth quarter of 2020, 70 less than the previous year.
Transit passengers accounted for the absolute majority of total traffic, reaching 11,695. On average, every vessel that berthed in Malta carried 739 passengers, 1,201 less than the previous year.
Passengers from EU Member States amounted to 11,239, the major markets being Italy, Germany and France. The total number of passengers from Non-EU countries stood at 586.
Updated 1135 – Time for an EU vaccine certificate: PM Abela
In a letter to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, PM Robert Abela said that it was time for a European vaccine certificate.
Dr Abela argued that the vaccine certificate is an important tool for public health especially in the context of transcontinental travel, and which may also serve in the context of the current pandemic at both a national and European level.
He also said that this idea merits a coordinated approach to better facilitate travel while avoiding the creation of more obstacles when it comes to people’s freedom of movement.
Updated 1130 – CBM, MFSA have “no say” on bank fees
Banking and financial authorities have no say on charges introduced by banks, Finance Minister Cylde Caruana told Parliament, while replying to a question on the introduction of a new €5 monthly fee by HSBC.
However, he added that both the Central Bank and the MFSA are committed to protecting consumers and looking at the long-term implications of such fees.
Updated 0830 – Newspaper Review
The Malta Business Weekly carries an interview with WasteServ CEO Richard Bilocca who said that a change in mentality towards waste disposal needs to be driven by “forward-thinking” legislation.
Business Today says that the airport ended last year with a decline of 76 percent in passenger traffic from 2019. The current uncertainty makes it impossible for the MIA to set out a reliable market forecast for 2021.
In-Nazzjon leads with the announcement of a reshuffle in the shadow cabinet. PN Leader Bernard Grech said the changes will not only strengthen the parliamentary group but will also prepare the party for the next election.
The Independent says that former PN Leader Adrian Delia turned down an offer to join the shadow cabinet, which was unveiled on Wednesday. A spokesperson for Delia said he prefers the Westminster model where former leaders do not take up frontbench roles.
L-Orizzont says that PN Leader Bernard Grech came up against resistance by MPs who wanted to hold on to their roles in the shadow cabinet. Claudio Grech has been assigned with the development of the electoral programme.
The Times reports that Prime Minister Robert Abela tabled an expert report on the construction sector in parliament on Wednesday. Abela’s decision earlier this month not to publish the report received criticism by the family of a victim of a building collapse.
L-Orizzont reports that residents and healthcare workers at St Vincent de Paule home are taking the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine. The first person to receive the jab was a 94-year-old woman.
Business Today quotes the president of the Chamber of Commerce, David Xuereb, who said that the body is ready to support any Covid-19 measures introduced by health authorities during the Carnival period.
The Independent quotes findings from a University of Malta research into ALS. The results show that the disease in Maltese patients affects different genes than those in European counterparts, giving scientists a better understanding of the causes of ALS.
The Times covers the inauguration of the 46th US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday. In his address, the new president vowed to heal divisions and stamp out domestic extremism.
The Malta Business Weekly announces that independent specialty management insurance Optio is entering Europe with an office in Malta. Director Kevin Cleary said the move will open new opportunities for the group.
In-Nazzjon follows a meeting of the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee which discussed the National Audit Office report on the Electrogas power station. The report found that the government was not procuring electricity at the best prices.
Morning Briefing
Fearne targets 70% vaccination by end September
Health Minister Chris Fearne said that Malta’s target is to vaccinate 70% of the population by the end of September, with a closer objective being to vaccinate medical workers and all those over 80 years of age by March. The Deputy PM was speaking to European newsportal Euronews.
“The realistic but ambitious target is that, by the end of September, we will have vaccinated 70% of our population,” he added. Fearne also argued that vaccination certificates would allow citizens from red zones to travel, even if their community is going through an outbreak. “This will enable us to open up our economies as a bloc and will enable tourism and trade to recover at a faster rate,” he said.
Parliament discusses reforms to construction industry
Prime Minister Robert Abela said that reforms in the building and construction industry, is a further step toward the attainment of standards and scrutiny for the country to advance in this sector over the next ten years. While speaking in Parliament on the Legal Amendment to establish a Board of Authority for the Building and Construction Industry, Dr Abela tabled a technical report that had been appointed on the death of Miriam Pace about a year ago and said this led to the first step of the appointment of a new Board.
The PM said the report had provided a legal basis for needed Amendments to act as a guide to methodology and good practices in the construction industry and included an office to oversee and enforce legalities. Among the suggested improvements, residents near a construction site are to be given the right to appoint an architect to survey proceedings and this has to be paid by the constructor.
The Opposition Spokesperson for the Planning and Construction Industry, Hermann Schiavone, said the Law should be named after Miriam Pace because her death had prompted the movement for these reforms to be carried out. He said in this industry there had been various tragedies that go back to 2004 when two other persons had died.
Malta Chamber supports restrictions over Carnival weekend
Any health restrictions the authorities may consider for the carnival weekend will be supported by the Chamber of Commerce, its President, David Xuereb, said.
David Xuereb said the Chamber will support any measures even if they result in a potential reduction in revenues for business.
Despite official events being cancelled, there have been numerous reports of a higher rate of booking of farmhouses and other accomodation in Gozo.
Xuereb insisted that health should be at the basis of a stronger economic rebound: “Our members will not be happy with a potential reduction of revenues, but respectability and accountability imply that this is the best thing to do. There will be economic hardship, but this is the life we have to lead,” he said.
Covid-19 Update
Health authorities reported 187 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday following 3,879 swab tests in the past 24 hours.
The virus claimed the lives of two persons, a 79-year-old woman and a 91-year-old man, the 244th victim since the onset of the pandemic.
The number of active cases stands at 2,831 after 189 recovered.
CDE News
