Morning Briefing

Malta: 34th in the world for virus cases

The Independent speaks to statistician Vincent Marmara who said that Malta currently ranks 34th in the world in the rate of coronavirus reproduction, with 444 cases per million registered by…

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Malta: Second data leak by IT company in a week

The Times reports a second data leak by the same hosting company in a week. This time confidential details of clients of the law firm set up by parliamentary secretary…

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Malta: PN requests urgent summit to discuss Hungary’s Orban

In-Nazzjon says that the Nationalist Party called for an urgent summit of the European People’s Party to discuss Hungarian member Fidesz after the country’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban imposed rule…

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Malta: Lidl Safi customers take Covid-19 tests

L-Orizzont says that several customers who shopped at the Lidl supermarket in Safi around the days when an employee displayed symptoms have come forward to be tested, following appeals by…

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Malta: Gaming sector under pressure

Business Today speaks to a Malta Gaming Authority representative who said that some companies in the gaming sector are facing severe challenges following the closure of land-based casinos and suspension…

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Malta: Vodafone Malta acquisition completed

The Malta Business Weekly leads with the completion of the acquisition process of Vodafone Malta by Monaco Telecom for €250 million. The company said it will focus on driving network…

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Malta: Massive voter-list leak

The Times says that a major data breach has been reported after a list of more than 330,000 voters and personal details that was originally compiled by the Labour Party…

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Malta: Parliament agreement over new Chief Justice

In-Nazzjon says that the government and opposition reached an “historic” agreement in parliament over the next Chief Justice, Judge Mark Chetcuti. Opposition Leader Adrian Delia said that a similar accord…

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Malta: Meat prices go up by 7 percent

L-Orizzont says that prices for meat products have increased by almost seven percent in the wake of the pandemic. The paper says that new international pressures on producers are driving…

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Malta: Covid-19 cases increase to 188

The Independent reports that 19 new Covid-19 cases were registered on Wednesday, the joint-highest number with March 25. There have now been 188 cases, two patients have recovered while another…

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Malta: Curbs on travel between Gozo and Malta

The Times says that travel between Malta and Gozo will be restricted to essential commutes from Friday. Gozo Minister Clin Caruana said that only people with a valid reason for…

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Malta: Agriculture, fisheries adversely affected by the spread

The Independent speaks to Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Anton Refalo who said that the virus spread is having a negative impact on the sectors. Farmers and fishermen are feeling the…

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Malta: Some hospital services to relocate to university

Malta Today reveals that Mater Dei hospital is mulling transferring some medical services such as physiotherapy to the University of Malta campus to make room for more COvid-19 patients in…

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Malta: Caritas director worried about surge homelessness

L-Orizzont speaks to Caritas director Anthony Gatt who warned that the disease may increase the number of homeless people, particularly foreign workers whose job permits have not been renewed. The…

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Malta: Consumer’s Authority warns about rising prices

In-Nazzjon says that the Consumers’ Authority noted an increase in prices across different products in the wake of the virus spread. The paper quotes Chamber of Commerce president David Xuereb…

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Malta: Over 2,000 employers apply for aid on first day

The Times says that Malta Enterprise received some 2,200 applications for aid on the first day of the Covid-19 rescue scheme. The first applications cover around 6,600 employees and self-employed.…

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Malta: Police call in the cavalry

In-Nazzjon says that mounted police will start patrolling busy areas from today to disperse people in groups of more than three. Exceptions are made for people queueing at public spaces…

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Malta: Prof. Gauci warns that the curve is just starting to rise

The Independent quotes Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci who warned that Malta is still at the beginning of the curve. She appealed to people who take the test to stay…

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Malta: More than 9,000 repatriation requests received

L-Orizzont quotes Foreign Affairs Minister Evarist Bartolo who said that the government received over 9,000 requests for help with repatriation. Bartolo describes the current situation as the most difficult the…

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Malta: 22 bids for pre-fab hospital

The Independent reports that 22 companies and consortia have shown interest in bidding for the government call for a pre-fabricated hospital. The highest bid is €29 million and the lowest…

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Malta: Developers urge government to revisit ITS site transfer

The Times says that the Malta Developers Association called on the government to seek legal avenues to take back the former ITS site in Pembroke following concerns raised by the…

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Malta: Prime Minister says we are still in time to rescue summer

L-Orizzont covers a radio interview with Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that if people fail to observe directives today, we will not enjoy summer this year. Abela appealed for…

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Malta: PN Leader calls to collective effort

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that the country finds itself at war that it must overcome together. Delia appealed for people to make a collective effort and…

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Malta: Agreement signed in August complicates Steward deal

Malta Today reveals details of an agreement signed between Konrad Mizzi and Steward Health Care in August last year that turns any termination of the hospital concession into a government…

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Malta: Health Minister says Malta response praised by WHO

The Sunday Times quotes Health Minister Chris Fearne who said that Malta was commended by the World Health Organisation for good practice in the handling of the outbreak. The paper…

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Malta: GWU chief says emergency is defining the union

It-Torċa carries an interview with General Workers Union secretary general Josef Bugeja about the initiatives of the union throughout the outbreak. Bugeja said that the emergency is defining what the…

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Malta: Precautionary measures to safeguard inmates

The Independent on Sunday says that Corradino Correctional Facilities introduced new measures against the spread of the virus. All visits have been banned and inmates can now speak to their…

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Malta: Three Covid-19 patients in ITU

Il-Mument quotes Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci who reported that there are now three Covid-19 patients in intensive care. A woman aged 60, a man aged 70 and another aged…

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Malta: Record rate for employment and unemployment in 2019

Kullħadd quotes the Labour Force Survey for the year ending 2019 which says that Malta registered a ‘double record’ of both the highest number of people in employment and the…

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Malta: State owed almost €4 billion by 2018

Illum says that by the end of 2018, there was more than €1.1 billion in outstanding employers’ tax and national insurance to be collected, while the state still had to…

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Malta: Real estate activity grinds to a halt

The Independent speaks to sources in the real estate industry who said that the activity is at a “complete standstill”. Real estate agents said that it is not easy to…

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Malta: Some prices go up by a quarter

L-Orizzont investigates price hikes as a result of the virus spread and reports that some businesses have increased prices by up to 25 percent for fruit and vegetables. The paper…

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Malta: People puzzled by lockdown instructions

In-Nazzjon says that Prime Minister Robert Abela on Friday overruled health authorities on Friday evening when he announced that there will not be a lockdown on people living with vulnerable…

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Malta: Police preparing for wave of criminality

The Times quotes Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri who said that the police are readying themselves for a spike in crime as the economic impacts of the crisis begin to…

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Malta: Groups of five are officially forbidden

L-Orizzont says that police have been ordered to disperse gatherings of five people or more in public as part of new measures against Covid-19. People will be asked to keep…

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Malta: Vulnerable people ordered indoors from Saturday

The Times leads with fresh measures announced by the government ordering high-risk people, including the elderly and people with specific medical conditions, to stay home. The restrictions will come into…

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Malta: Covid-19 spread entering new phase

The Independent quotes Health Minister Chris Fearne who said that predictive modelling used by authorities indicates that the spread can be expected to surge, entering a new phase of local…

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Malta: Almost 120,000 people to go into lockdown

In-Nazzjon says that the lockdown for elderly and vulnerable people will directly impact 118,000 people and their families. Individuals affected by the new restrictions are being asked to keep at…

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Malta: Pandemic is a €3 billion blow to tourism sector

The Times quotes a government adviser who said that the economic effects of the coronavirus on the tourism sector could grow to as much as €3 billion. The unnamed consultant…

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Malta: Teachers scrambling to take lessons online

The Independent speaks to teachers from different schools who say that the closure of schools has had an impact on them as they have had to quickly adapt their teaching…

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Malta: GWU chief says crisis highlights role of trade unions

L-Orizzont quotes General Workers Union secretary general Josef Bugeja who said that only membership of a trade union can guarantee workers the safeguards they need in situations like the current…

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Malta: PN says 18,000 self-employed left out of rescue plan

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that the relief package unveiled by the Prime Minister this week is ‘too little, too late’. He said that the needs of…

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Malta: Social partners welcome aid measures

The Malta Business Weekly leads with positive reactions by employers’ associations and trade unions to the third aid package announced by government this week. Prime Minister Abela said that the…

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Malta: Bankers rebuff windfall tax recommendations

Business Today says that the Malta Bankers Association came out against suggestions of a windfall tax on profits made by local banks. The MBA defended ‘super-profits’ and said that banking…

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Malta: Adrian Delia insists on lower electricity rates: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said the government was being “reactive and selective” in its new financial aid measures. Delia also criticised the government for refusing to lower…

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Malta: Covid-19 cases are still rising

The Independent says that the number of confirmed cases rose to 110 after three more people tested positive by Tuesday. Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci warned that, despite a lower…

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Malta: Revised aid package to support 60,000 employees

The Times says that the new rescue package unveiled by the Prime Minister on Tuesday will guarantee a salary of €1,200 to around 60,000 workers. The state will fund €800…

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Malta: New incentives added to previously announced measures

L-Orizzont says that the new relief plan for business by the government will effectively pay a week’s salary for every employee in critical sectors that were forced to shut down.…

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Malta: Government unveils new rescue measures for business

Malta Today leads with the announcement of a third set of financial measures by the government focusing on businesses in the hardest-hit sectors. Prime Minister Robert Abela said that the…

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Malta: Most Covid-19 cases were contact-traced

The Times quotes Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci who said that many of the Covid-19 are being actively traced by authorities and the number of patients reporting contagion themselves remains…

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Malta: Banks introduce concessions to help clients

The Independent says that several banks are offering moratoria and incentives for personal clients to ease repayments of home loans and other services. Banks said they are also engaging with…

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Malta: New relief initiatives for businesses to be launched

L-Orizzont reveals that new measures to support businesses and protect jobs will be announced by government following a Cabinet meeting on Monday night. The paper says the decisions came after…

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Malta: PN proposes specific Covid-19 fund for Gozo

In-Nazzjon says that the Nationalist Party proposed a set of measures addressing the needs of Gozo, including the setting up of a special fund. PN Leader Adrian Delia said that…

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Malta: Non-essential businesses close indefinitely

The Times leads with government’s order for closure of shops and services that fall within the non-essential category to limit the spread of the virus. The mandatory shutdown is effective…

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Malta: PN Leader accuses government of penny-pinching with workers

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that the government is being tight-fisted with business and workers and called for an improved aid package that ‘re-invests’ the wealth created…

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Malta: Covid-19 cases reach 90 in two weeks

The Independent reports that 17 new coronavirus cases have been found by the health authorities, ten of which were travel related and the rest were locally transmitted. This brings the…

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Malta: Prime Minister hints at new stimulus package for companies

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that the government wants to rescue businesses and make sure that jobs are not lost, indicating that new measures to support companies…

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