Update 1645
A 35-year-old man from Guinea-Bissau lost his conciousness after a gas heater leak. A medical team certified the man dead on the spot. The case happened in Triq il-Poeżija in Qormi.
Updated 1241
Tug boats needed to assist chemical tanker off Maltese coast
A Tug Malta tug boat was sent to support a chemical tanker which appeared to be out of control off the Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, with very rough seas and inclement weather. The tug boat managed to push the 202-metre long Chem P further outside the coast. Transport Minister Ian Borg confirmed on Facebook that Transport Malta was assisting the tanker since it ran the risk of running aground close to the coast. “I was informed that the ship had difficulties keeping its position outside territorial waters due to the bad weather. I was assured that the risk of a chemical spill is very low,” Borg said. (Times/Maltatoday)
Metsola urges vote as ‘democratic excercise’
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, was in Malta this morning to vote for the general election, urging the public to fulfil their democratic duty and do the same. Voting a week prior to the official date, Metsola told the press at the Naxxar Counting Hall Complex that she had carried out her duty and voted, a duty which she said was an important democratic process which our predecessors fought hard for. She also noted that the invasion of Ukraine has shown how important it is to safeguard and defend the democratic process every single day, allowing it to function and thrive. (Newsbook.com.mt)
Two people arrested in cocaine bust
Two people have been arrested over drug possession, the police said. In a statement, the police said they arrested two individuals – a man and a woman – after receiveing information about drug trafficking. Members of the drug squad arrested a 42-year-old woman outside a Marsascala apartment after she was found carrying 100g of suspected cocaine and cash. The police then searched the apartment, where officers arrested a 32-year-old man who was found in possession of another 750 grams of suspected cocaine and around €66,000n in cash. (The Malta Independent)
Morning Briefing
Trackless tram will not take up lane from existing traffic – PN
The PN said that a trackless tram will not take up a lane of existing traffic on arterial roads. “I would like to make it clear: we never said that we will be reducing existing lanes of traffic,” Transport spokesperson Toi Bezzina said, adding that the trackless tram route map had been intentionally designed to avoid certain areas specifically for that reason. Comparing the tram and metro proposals, Bezzina said the tram will cover 48 localities as opposed to the metro’s 20, will run on clean energy and will not produce anything close to the 10 million cubic metres of waste which the tunnelling for the metro is expected to produce. (Times of Malta)
Election result is not a foregone conclusion – Abela
Robert Abela has warned supporters the election is not a foregone conclusion, and supporters should continue working to help the Labour Party get elected.
“There are those who are giving the impression that the election is over, and the Labour Party will automatically win. Don’t fall for this trap, the election starts nil-nil,” he warned supporters during a political event held in Fgura. Abela highlighted a number of electoral pledges, including on the environment, taxes and education. (Maltatoday)
Omicron subvariant leading to more Covid-19 cases
Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne said Covid-19 cases are increasing across the EU and elsewhere around the world. In Malta, there are three main factors behind the increase; increased social mobility as a result of relaxed measures, a colder than usual March, and the spread of the Omicron ‘Stealth’ BA2 variant which, according to preliminary data seems seems to weaker than the original variant.” Fearne said the exit roadmap remains in place, but one should always remain cautious.
Asked when Malta will be relaxing travel restrictions, Fearne pointed to an EU meeting taking place on Friday. It might be, he said, that in the near future, travellers coming from red zone countries will be allowed to enter Malta with just a negative PCR test, even if they are not fully vaccinated.
Covid-19 Update: 301 new cases were reported on Friday, as active cases have now reached 2073. Two women died, taking the tally to 621. 46 persons are currently in hospital.
