Update 1300 – Covid-19 cases decline
The steady decline in new COVID-19 cases was confirmed with 40 new cases reported by Health authorities. With 101 recoveries, the number of active cases declined again to 829.
As from today, no more than two persons can be together in public spaces, except for persons from the same household.
Update – The lawyer to George and Alfred Degiorgio, the alleged hitmen in the Caruana Galizia assassination, has reiterated that his clients have direct evidence of a government minister they claim is a mastermind in the 2017 murder of the journalist. The two brothers, who have requested pardons on various crimes in return for evidence on the assassination, said their evidence was “not hearsay or detto del detto”. “Such information should lead to a mastermind who was a government minister and a middleman in the case of the homicide of Daphne Caruana Galizia,” lawyer William Cuschieri said in a statement. – MaltaToday / Newsbook.com.mt
Newspaper Review
The Times quotes Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo who announced plans to reopen tourism by the beginning of June. He said that a €20 million campaign will target travellers from the UK specifically.
L-Orizzont says that 18 airlines, including Air Malta, are expected to offer flights to and from Malta this summer. Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo said that four of the airlines will be operating in the country for the first time.
Malta Today says that a plan announced by the Tourism Ministry seeks to attract free, independent travellers to Malta by June. Minister Clayton Bartolo said that tourists will be allowed against a negative Covid-19 test.
The Independent says that a second request for bail by Keith Schembri has been turned down by the courts. Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech ruled that the danger of interference with ongoing investigation persists.
In-Nazzjon reports that Keith Schembri’s father, Alfio, has been granted bail by the courts against a personal guarantee of €50,000 and a deposit of €20,000. He gave up his identification documents and was ordered to sign the bail book daily.
Malta Today leads with proposals for a White Paper on responsible drug use, which would allow for the cultivation of up to four plants for personal use per household. Consumption of cannabis would be restricted to private spaces.
L-Orizzont reports on the launch of a consultation process on recreational drug use. The government is proposing the decriminalisation of up to seven grams of cannabis for the exclusive use of adults over 18.
The Independent speaks to health authorities who dismissed claims that the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine will be administered privately by pharmacists. Some pharmacies are reportedly setting up waiting lists for vaccinations.
The Times says that Prime Minister Robert Abela called on the Police Commissioner to investigate reported claims that Chen Cheng, the Chinese negotiator in the Enemalta deal, is the owner of secret company Macbridge.
In-Nazzjon follows a PN press conference calling on the government to retrieve taxpayers’ money from the Enemalta investment in the Montenegro wind farm. MP Therese Comodini Cachia said that the Prime Minister must shoulder political responsibility.
Morning Briefing
Malta to kickstart tourism in June
Malta is expected to re-open its tourism industry by June, with Government announcing a €20 million aid package to kickstart sector, Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo announced.
The Minister said that the county lost over 2 billion euro in spending due to the impact of the pandemic. Announcing a Tourism Recovery Plan, Bartolo noted that the first tourists to come to Malta will be from European countries, but also from the United Kingdom, traditionally the island’s biggest tourism market.
Nexia’s Tonna and Cini denied bail
Nexia BT’s Brian Tonna and Karl Cini were denied bail on Tuesday after the Court heard how Brian Tonna and Karl Cini had prepared backdated documents to satisfy due diligence requirements after a magisterial inquiry started probing their actions. Testifying in the compilation of evidence against Nexia BT partners Tonna, Cini and Manuel Castagna, and their employee, Katrin Bondin Carter, Inspector Ian Camilleri said the documents were required by Pilatus Bank.
The Inspector also gave details of various money transactions that passed through accounts attached to the various companies linked to Tonna, Cini and Castagna.
Cannabis reform launched
Cannabis users will soon be able to grow up to four plants in their own home and to carry up to 7g of the drug with them at all times under new proposed legislation announced by Government.
The government is also planning to pave the way for the legal sale of seeds and cannabis for cultivation or personal use, though the precise method is still unclear.
The simple possession of 7-28g would be subject to proceedings before the Commissioner of Justice, who could levy an administrative fine. Government also announced a study on safe methods of procuring cannabis is to be launched.
Covid-19 Update
Active Covid-19 cases have gone down to 899 after that only 55 new cases were discovered yesterday, while 286 persons recovered. Two new deaths took the number of fatalities to 390.
