Updated 1600 – No J&J jabs for the time being – Prof Gauci
Malta will not be using the J&J vaccine for the time being, Health Superintendent Prof Charmaine Gauci revealed today during an interview on The Times of Malta. She explained that in doing so, health authorities were observing the advice of the European Medicines Agency. On the other hand, Astra Zeneca jabs will continue to be given to the public.
The EU and the USA have halted the provision of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine after a small number of blood clots resulting from almost 7 million jabs.
Updated 1245: Covid-19 Update
58 new COVID-19 cases were reported today, with 41 persons recovering. No new deaths were reported. Active cases have therefore increased to 578. The cases were identified through 2,001 swab tests.
The number of vaccine doses has increased to 254,885 of which 76,593 were second doses.
Updated 0845: Government formally requests Air Malta state aid go-ahead
Government has proposed to the European Commission a five-year state aid financing plan which it says will help turn Air Malta into a sustainable, profit-making, enterprise.
Finance Minister Clyde Caruana had indicated that Government was working on “an honest and credible” plan to allow the country to help the national airline as it was making losses of over €170,000 daily just to operate its aircraft.
Meanwhile Air Malta has had its brand name transferred to the Maltese government for €21 million, in a capital injection from taxpayers’ money. The “Air Malta” brand was acquired by the government-owned company IP Holding for a €21 million, a consideration valued by RSM Malta.
Newspaper Review
Malta Today leads with money-laundering charges against a seafood restaurant manager and a former senior official at a Bank with suspected links to an oil smuggling operation. Both plead not guilty.
In-Nazzjon reports that a money-laundering investigation led the police to discover €52,000 in cash and other items of high value at the home of 29-year-old Floren Sultana. The restaurateur starred in a PL electoral advert in 2013.
The Independent says that Magistrate Donatello Frendo Dimech confirmed a freezing order on all assets owned by restaurant manager Floren Sultana and former banker Albert Buttigieg following charges of money laundering.
The Times says that the government is seeking permission from Brussels to inject €290 million into Air Malta as part of a five-year restructuring plan. Discussions with the EU Commission are expected to begin this month.
L-Orizzont reports that suspected cases of child abuse will now require mandatory reporting by professionals. Family Minister Michael Falzon said that the new regulation will fast-track the process of investigation.
The Independent speaks to the police about reports of an illegal party held in a private villa last week. A spokesperson said that the police have launched a joint investigation with the Malta Tourism Authority.
Malta Today quotes Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo who said that Malta is holding talks with the UK on a Covid-19 digital certificate to allow safer travel between the two countries. The minister said the certificate will indicate the vaccination dates.
L-Orizzont says that Air Malta and Czech Airlines will start operating flights to Malta from this summer. The number of routes is expected to be around 70 percent of the network available before the pandemic.
The Times says that an error in the registration of donations to L-Istrina, Caritas, and Dar tal-Providenza has bloated telethon figures by €1.4 million. Telecommunications operator GO said that customers were not billed twice.
In-Nazzjon covers a visit by PN Leader Bernard Grech to Inspire Foundation. He said that persons with disability have the right to advance and that the party is building its policies around the needs of individuals.
Morning Briefing
Malta-UK digital vaccine certificate in the pipeline
Malta and the UK are looking into establishing a digital vaccine certificate and “will not be limited” by EU negotiations, Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo revealed. The certificate is being developed by the Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA) and would be ready in a couple of months time. “In discussions we had with the UK government, we are already exchanging information in relation to this digital certificate and the components it should have.
If discussions at EU level are still ongoing by summer we will be going into bilateral agreements directly with other countries as is already being done with the UK government,” Bartolo explained.
Government has indicated that Britain, which is the most advanced country in Europe in terms of the vaccination process, will be a main focus of Malta’s Summer tourism strategy.
More persons charged with money laundering
The step-daughter of Darren Debono, who faces charges of money laundering in Malta over an oil smuggling operation, has been charged with money laundering.
Together with a former BNF Bank manager, Albert Buttigieg, were accused of being the face of companies which manage two seafood restaurants, which served as a front to cover-up money laundered from oil smuggling operations.
The restaurants are Porticello in Valletta and Capo Mulini in Marsaxlokk. They pleaded not guilty.
Covid-19 Update
59 new cases were recorded as 50 people recovered. These new cases were found from 1,758 swab tests taken over the previous 24 hours. There are now 561 active cases. One person, a 68 year old woman died while Covid-19
positive.
Disability should leave no on behind – Grech
PN leader Bernard Grech said that every person has a right to progress in life and society, and the country therefore has to see that the services for persons with disability should be further strengthened and are assisted so that no one is left behind. The Opposition and PN leader was speaking during a visit to the Inspire Foundation therapeutic centre in Marsaskala.
Dr Grech said that the PN was always close to the sector of persons with disability and understood the importance, not only of the services provided directly by the Government, but also by those provided voluntarily by NGOs, for the wellbeing of Maltese and Gozitan citizens.
CDE News
