LOCAL NEWS
Press Conference by Deputy PM Chris Fearne and Health Superintendent Prof. Charmaine Gauci (7th April 1100 hrs)
Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne has announced that 52 persons became infected with the coronavirus over the past 24 hours. Four of them are Gozitans.
Malta is now approaching a total of 300 case in Malta (293). Fearne explained that none of these cases are related to the Open Centre in Hal Far, though eventually new positive cases were expected from that location. A record of over 800 swab tests took place yesterday, but Government was targeting that over 1,000 tests could take place daily as soon as possible.
Fearne insisted that the authorities were not surprised with this increase and had actually expected to reach the 300-strong figure last week. “The fact that we have managed the delay this threshold is an indication that the measures which are in place are being followed by the public and have yielded the desired results”. The developments reflect the authorities’ expectations, insisted Fearne.
Despite the significant number, the authorities are still carrying out the normal contact tracing which is carried out in every case. The Minister for Health appealed for the general public maintained discipline to ensure that the country can successfully combat the spreading of the virus. Chris Fearne expressed his pride that the business community have so far fully respected the directives issued by Government.
DPM Fearne also said that while in some countries every person infected another three, Malta’s containment measures were intended to keep this ratio at 1.1 to a maximum to 1.2.
Prof Charmaine Gauci, Health Superintendent explained that 13 cases were identified during screening measures at Mater Dei. The remaining 39 cases, were roughly equally divided between men and women, and all but two are Maltese.
The majority of cases are clusters related within families were cases had already been identified. Prof Gauci said that no such clusters had appeared so far within places of work, include factories.
Experiencing mental health issues? Call 1770
A new telephone number has been launched, 1770, with the support of Richmond Foundation, to help people experiencing mental difficulties and challenges as a result of the current situation. Today and tomorrow the service will operate till 8pm, while from Thursday it will be available 24/7.
Government gives last opportunity for Maltese citizens to return
In a statement issued by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Maltese nationals were encouraged to return to Malta via London Heathrow or Frankfurt Main by making use of any available commercial flights.
The Ministry indicated that the flight itinerary together with a copy of the passport bio page are to be sent to sitcen.mfea@gov.mt for reservation of repatriation flights from London Heathrow or Frankfurt Main. Persons who choose to remain abroad after the 12th April 2020, will remain at their own risk. The Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs indicated cannot guarantee repatriation after this date.
In its statement, Government noted that the above also applies to third country nationals in possession of a valid Maltese residence permit. For reservation of repatriation flights, a copy of the passport and residence card is to be submitted together with the flight itinerary on sitcen.mfea@gov.mt.
Persons who are unable to travel because of imposed lock downs are to inform the Ministry on sitcen.mfea@gov.mt. Those who have are already registered with the Ministry are also urged to send an email with an update of their current status.
The Situation Centre at the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs remains available from 08:00hrs to 20:00hrs from Monday to Sunday and can be reached by phone on 00356 2204 2200. Reservations for repatriation flights will only be accepted by email.
Update on inspections related to quarantine
Yesterday, 35 persons were each fined €100 during the continuous inspection rounds Police are conducting to ensure that no gatherings of more than three persons take place, as according to the legal notice that Government issued. Moreover, for the fourth day in a row, no one was caught breaching obligatory quarantine during the 502 inspections that
were conducted in the last 24 hours. However, an establishment in Bormla was caught serving beverages to various clients during one of the inspections that are being conducted by Malta Tourism Authority officials. The establishment owner was fined
€3000 for breaking regulations to keep doors shut as part of the measures to control the spread of Covid-19.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Timesofmalta.com
COVID-19 protective gear for Malta stolen in Turkey
A shipment of 50,000 Malta-bound medical suits has been ransacked in a Turkish shipping warehouse, with the stolen equipment likely to have been sold on a new global black market for COVID-19 hospital supplies.
“It’s like trying to grab a bar of soap. We order supplies, they are in our grasp, and then they just keep slipping out of our hands before we get them here,” said an official, highlighting the difficulty of buying equipment for Malta’s frontline medical staff.
As countries across the world scramble for face masks, gloves and medical suits to battle the coronavirus outbreak, manufacturers are making huge profits and customers around the world are fighting to be first in line.
Malta has now come up with a plan to avoid the cut-throat bidding war, by negotiating directly with the Chinese government. But it is unclear how long this will hold together and if the equipment will ever make its way to the island.
Cabin crew dig in over Air Malta pay cut proposal
Cabin crew at Air Malta are resisting a proposal that they say would see full-time jobs guaranteed for just 28 days on a pay of €1,200. A representative of the union, UCC, said the lack of job security inherent in the airline’s proposal was unacceptable.
After the 28-day period, the offer would then have to be renewed before the Department of Industrial Relations. The €1,200 pay package means full-timers who have been with the airline the longest would have their pay slashed by around 65%.
Maltatoday
Increased testing of healthcare workers taking place, Health Minister says
Increased testing for Covid-19 will take place among healthcare workers, Health Minister Chris Fearne announced on social media.
Malta has its fair share of healthcare workers who contracted the virus, especially in the initial staged when imported cases were being recorded. However, on Monday, another case involving a 54-year-old male healthcare worker, who was both at Mater Dei Hospital and Mount Carmel, emerged and contact tracing was still going on to determine from where he could have contracted the infection.
Printed
The Independent speaks to the chairman of the iGaming European Network Enrico Bradamante who said that the outbreak will impact how the gaming sector will operate in the future. He said that the gaming companies are suffering the cancellation of sporting events. The Independent publishes a timeline of events since the first case of Covid-19 was registered in Malta on March 17. The paper tracks how life has changed as measures to control the spread continued to be reinforced.
In-Nazzjon says that the number of Covid-19 cases rose to 241 after another 14 people were registered with the disease on Monday. The paper says that authorities are looking for a man who disappeared after testing positive. In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that the party will give priority to the health emergency and the climate emergency. He said that these are important challenges and politicians should rise above partisan politics to meet them.
The Times leads with the death of a Maltese woman in London after she contracted the Covid-19 disease. The 77-year-old suffered from high blood pressure but was otherwise healthy and is thought to have been infected after a visit to the hospital.
L-Orizzont quotes Birżebbuġa mayor Joseph Farrugia who backed the government’s decision to quarantine the residents at the Ħal Far migrants’ centre after several cases of coronavirus were reported. L-Orizzont picks up a message by a Filipino doctor who described herself as ‘victim 194’ after becoming infected with Covid-19. The doctor admitted that she never imagined she would contract the disease so quickly.
Editorials
The Times of Malta focuses on the spread of the virus in the Ħal Far open center, something which was bound to happen given the situation that refugees lived in, including crammed substandard containers. The Editor expressed his hope that health authorities do not discriminate between those who receive care and support and that equal care is given to the Ħal Far residents as well as the AWAS staff. The Editor also expresses his consternation to the many social media comments whereby many expressed their believe that refugees should be dealt with like garbage. The editor insisted that in this worldwide tragedy, no one should be made a scapegoat for this situation.
The Independent takes a look at the racist developments which have characterized the past few days following news related to positivity to coronavirus amongst immigrants. While appreciating that people might frustrated at the imposed restrictions, the racism being displayed is completely unacceptable. The virus will pass, but some things said might not be able to be forgiven.
L-Orizzont joins in with a similar argument insisting that Covid-19 is serving as another reason to fuel racism, which is a significant problem in our country. The Editor expresses hope that immigrants who were paid – not much – to support Malta’s economy, will continue to receive some form of payment now that they have been isolated in forced quarantine.
In-Nazzjon looks at the different challenges facing Maltese family, not solely the current pandemic but other realities such as climate change and low pensions. The Editorial commends the efforts undertaken by the Nationalist Party to reflect these changes in society, insisting that present challenges can be addressed by placing the individual at the center of politics.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Italy’s government announces €750 billion support in ‘Cure Italy’ decree
A 750 billion support for businesses was announced by the Italian government.
The ‘Cure Italy’ degree is made up of 200 billion loan guarantees and 200 billion for exports which adds to the 350 already planned, with the arrival of up to 100% coverage for loans up to 800 thousand euros .
Apart from this, the Italian government announced the postponement of tax deadlines for companies damaged by the crisis.
“With the decree just approved, we are giving immediate liquidity of € 400 billion to our companies, € 200 billion for the internal market, another € 200 billion to boost the export market. It is a firepower”, said the premier Giuseppe Conte says in a press conference after the cabinet meeting of Monday.
China reports zero Covid-19 deaths for first time since January
China has reported zero new Covid-19 deaths for the first time since January, despite struggles with ongoing outbreaks including in Wuhan where dozens of residential blocks have been locked down just one day before travel restrictions were set to be lifted, The Guardian reports.
On Tuesday, the National Health Commission reported 32 new cases across China, all of which were arrivals from another country. There were also 30 new asymptomatic cases reported. However, for the first time since the commission began publishing its figures in January, there were no new deaths reported.
The sliver of promising news came as mainland China and Hong Kong strengthened restrictions on foreign arrivals amid growing number of imported and asymptomatic cases.
EU Corner
Commission and European Investment Fund (part of EIB Group) unlock €8 billion in finance for 100,000 small and medium-sized businesses
The European Commission has unlocked €1 billion from the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) that will serve as a guarantee to the European Investment Fund (EIF), part of the European Investment Bank Group.
This will allow the EIF to issue special guarantees to incentivise banks and other lenders to provide liquidity to at least 100,000 European SMEs and small mid-cap companies hit by the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, for an estimated available financing of €8 billion.
More News:
For a Fact-Checked Aggregated Service of CoVid-19 related information, please visit: https://corporatedispatch.com/category/coronavirus/
Additional info
Helplines
111 – For those who feel symptoms of COVID-19 or who wish further information
21411 411 – For those in mandatory quarantine who require provisions of food and medicine
1772 – For those who are feeling lonely.
153 – For those who require information about the financial measures administered by the Department for Social Security.
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This daily update bulletin is being compiled for the Chamber of Advocates by CI Consulta from Corporate ID Group. CI Consulta delivers policy research and analysis, evaluations and impact assessments up to policy implementation and integration.
