Updated 1745 News Portal Briefing
Times of Malta reports that President George Vella received the Covid-19 vaccine
MaltaToday reports that the Broadcasting Authority has upheld PN MP Jason Azzopardi’s complaint
Newsbook reports that the wage supplement scheme was launched
TVM reports that the casual election for Member of Parliament was announced.
Updated 1300 – Covid-19 update
The Health Department reported 158 new cases of coronavirus in the previous 24 hours, with 74 recovering. The number of active cases has reached 1702. 2602 swab tests were
carried out in the past 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the number of deaths linked to Covid-19 has reached 226.
Updated 1230: New wage subsidy system announced
Newly-appointed Energy and Business Minister Miriam Dalli announced a new wage subsidy scheme which is based on the level of losses suffered by businesses as a result of COVID-19. Government’s assistance will be basedon VAT returns as compared to the same period in 2019.
The revised system will come into effect as of this month, with businesses performing better than before the crisis or suffering only minor losses (9% or less), no longer being eligible for the wage supplement.
Further detail here.
Updated 0900: Slow vaccination a mystery, says MUMN President
Nurses and Midwives Union President Paul Pace denied that the slow vaccination process was due to lack of manpower, saying that hospitals have the necessary resources to inoculate a significantly larger amount of people. He added that the reason the number of people given the jab remains low is a mystery.
Health authorities reported that 1,400 people had been inoculated with the Covid-19 vaccine in the first week. Malta obtained 10,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine on the morning of the 26th of December.
Updated 0830 – Newspaper Review
The Times quotes Health Minister Chris Fearne who said that, by the beginning of May, everyone in Malta will have received an appointment for the Covid-19 vaccine. According to these timelines, herd immunity will be achieved towards the end of summer.
L-Orizzont says that the government aims to inoculate all residents and carers at homes for the elderly with the Covid-19 vaccine within a month. Minister for Active Ageing Michael Farrugia said that vaccination is currently underway at St Vincent de Paule residence.
The Independent speaks to the Nurses’ Union president Paul Pace who said that there are enough human resources available at hospitals to make the Covid-19 vaccination programme faster than it currently is.
In-Nazzjon quotes a statement by the Medical Association which said it is disappointed by the vaccination targets set by the government. Doctors said that only 10 percent of healthcare professionals have been jabbed so far while there are 19,000 idle doses.
The Times speaks to Catco Group chairman Fisal Abdullah Alokla about a €500,000 donation to Dar tal-Providenza delivered by Adrian Delia on New Year’s Day. Alokla said he was unaware that Delia was involved in politics and was giving legal advice to the group.
The Independent questions former PN Leader Adrian Delia about the large donation to Dar tal-Providenza he presented on behalf of Tunisia-based company Catco Group. Delia said that he had requested enhanced due diligence on the funds before making the donation.
L-Orizzont speaks with the chairman of the Guide Dogs Foundation, Joseph Stafrace, who said that Braille has given him identity and independence. The paper reports that there are 1,633 blind people in Malta.
In-Nazzjon reports on the death of two Covid-19 patients, aged 73 and 81. The total number of casualties rose to 222 since the beginning of the pandemic, while the number of active cases currently stands at 1,622.
Morning Briefing
Government teleworking to remain in place
Head of the Civil Service, Mario Cutajar said that government policy with regard to teleworking had not changed, insisting that “there was no change in the direction given months ago that whenever teleworking is possible requests from employees should be approved given the current circumstances”.
The Principal Permanent Secretary was reacting to social media comments by Labour MEP Alfred Sant who claimed that some staff were being ordered back to their desks despite a rise in COVID-19 cases.
Sant described such a decision as “incomprehensible”, particularly after a more infectious strain of the virus was found in Malta last week. The former Prime Minister added: “So does it make sense to bring all employees together again in the same space as of now?” he asked. “Why do governments give so frequently the impression that the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing?”
Covid-19 Update
Two more Covid-19 related fatalities were announced by the health authorities on Monday, taking the total of victims to 222. Both victims are women, aged 81 and 73 respectively. They passed away at Mater Dei Hospital.
Meanwhile, 148 new cases were reported on Monday, with 111 recovering. These were identified from 2,915 swab tests. Malta’s active case status now stands at 1,622.
Casual election set for today week today week
The casual election required to fill in the vacancy resulting from the resignation of former minister Edward Scicluna will be held today week. Scicluna has been appointed Governor of the Central Banl of Malta.
Three candidates are eligible to submit their candidature for the district which covers Zebbuġ, Dingli, Mġarr, Mtarfa andRabat These incude former Rabat mayor Charles Azzopardi, Malta Tourism Authority chairman Gavin Gulia, ex-PN MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando.
Pullicino Orlando, currently Chairman of the Malta Council for Science and Technology is the only eligible candidate who has confirmed to sections of the media his intention to submit his nomination.
Covid-19 Update
Malta has registered 85 new coronavirus cases on Sunday after 1,995 swab tests were carried out, the health authorities reported.
64 individuals made a recovery bringing the number of active cases to 1,587.
220 people have died in Malta since the onset of the pandemic.
CDE News
