Updated 0940
Malta Employers Calls for Long-Term Infrastructure Strategy after Power Outages: Malta Employers has renewed its call for a coordinated, long-term infrastructure strategy, arguing that recent electricity outages highlight wider structural pressures rather than an isolated problem. Following meetings with government, Enemalta, the Opposition and social partners, the association praised Enemalta’s handling of the outages but said the incidents underscored the need for stronger planning and investment. It proposed an inter-ministerial body to coordinate infrastructure development and urged measures to improve energy efficiency, customer communication during outages and regulatory oversight. The association said reliable infrastructure is essential to sustaining Malta’s competitiveness, investment and long-term growth. (The Malta Independent)
Government Explores Northern Health Hub Model after Ċensu Moran Success: The government is studying plans to establish a health hub in Malta’s north based on the Ċensu Moran Regional Health Centre model, Health Minister Ian Borg said. During a visit to the Paola centre, Borg said the facility demonstrated effective integration between primary and secondary healthcare, with more than 190,000 patients treated since opening in September. The hub now offers services including GP walk-ins, X-rays, specialist clinics and procedures, with further additions planned. Authorities said the model aims to bring specialised care closer to communities, reduce pressure on Mater Dei Hospital and improve patient access. (The Times of Malta)
Morning Briefing
Maltese travel abroad rises as holiday spending nears €390 million
Maltese residents made almost 420,000 trips abroad during the first six months of 2026, a 7.6% increase compared with the same period last year, according to new figures from the National Statistics Office. The rise reflects continued strong demand for overseas travel despite higher costs. Between April and June alone, residents took more than 214,000 trips, up 2.5% year-on-year. Travellers spent almost 1.5 million nights abroad during the quarter, averaging around seven nights per trip. Most overnight stays were in non-rented accommodation, while holidays remained the main reason for travelling, followed by visits to friends and relatives. Italy retained its position as the most popular destination, accounting for more than one in three trips made from Malta during the second quarter. Spending also remained robust. Travellers spent €195.1 million between April and June, with an average expenditure of €911 per person. Across the first half of the year, total travel expenditure reached €388.5 million, almost 3% higher than a year earlier, while average spending rose to €925 per traveller, underlining the resilience of consumer demand for international travel. (The Malta Independent)
Health authorities investigate Hepatitis A cases linked to Qormi food outlet
Public health authorities are investigating a cluster of four Hepatitis A cases linked to the Qormi food establishment Deli & Co, with contact tracing and other preventive measures continuing. Officials have advised anyone who consumed food from the outlet between June 17 and June 25 to remain alert for symptoms until August 14, reflecting the virus’s incubation period, which can range from 15 to 50 days. Hepatitis A is a viral infection affecting the liver and can cause fever, fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and jaundice. People who develop symptoms after eating at the outlet have been urged to contact the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Unit and seek medical advice. The authorities stressed that investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the infections and encouraged good hand hygiene as one of the most effective ways to prevent transmission. In a statement, Deli & Co said one employee was diagnosed with Hepatitis A on July 4 but had last worked on June 25. The company said the employee remained away from work until cleared by health authorities and that all recommended precautions were implemented immediately. It also urged against drawing conclusions before investigations are completed. (Times of Malta)
Nearly €2.9 million awarded to boost Malta’s film and audiovisual industry
Thirty-one audiovisual projects have secured almost €2.9 million in government funding under the latest iScreen Support Scheme, as Malta continues to invest in its film and creative industries. The €2.88 million allocation covers projects at different stages of development, including six screenwriting initiatives, 12 development projects, four short films, six feature-length productions and three cultural television programmes. The largest share of funding, €2 million, will support feature-length fiction, documentary and animation productions, with individual grants ranging from €103,000 to €450,000. Other funding includes €145,288 for scriptwriting, €538,628 for project development, €140,000 for short productions and €60,000 for cultural programming. Announcing the awards, Arts Minister Malcolm Paul Agius Galea said the scheme forms part of Malta Vision 2050, which identifies investment in the audiovisual sector as a strategic priority. He said continued annual funding would provide greater certainty for producers while supporting talent development from scriptwriting through to international distribution. Applications are now open for the scheme’s sixth funding call, which supports the international promotion of completed productions and projects nearing completion. (TVM News)
