LOCAL NEWS
Press Conference by Health Superintendent Prof. Charmaine Gauci (14th April, 1230)
Prof Charmaine Gauci announced another nine positive cases in Malta were registered yesterday, taking the total to 393. These cases include three further immigrants who are resident at Hal Far and were identified from another 20 tests taking place yesterday. The immigrants are from Ivory Coast, Sudan and Tunisia. 1051 swabs were carried out in total yesterday.
The new cases, which are all locally transmitted, include a 23 year old British citizen who works in the private sector and an Indian female carer who works at an Old People’s Home. However, she was tested before entry on the place of work and therefore no contact with the residents took place. Despite the low numbers registered in the past three days, Gauci indicated that the authorities “did not consider the peak as having been reached.
Questioned about the criminalisation of Covid-spreading, Prof Gauci said that the relevant legal notice is still being discussed.
DIER to operate online
As from tomorrow, the Department of Industrial and Employment Relations will temporarily close its doors in order to safeguard the public’s as well as its worker’s health. It will instead be providing telephonic and online services. DIER already has helplines in place—1575 (for employees) and 1576 (for employers)—as well as the email address info.dier@gov.mt in order to, among other things, offer guidance and clarifications to employees and employers during these particular circumstances that our country is going through.
Moratorium on loans
The Central Bank of Malta has announced that Government has directed locally-licensed banks to offer a moratorium on loan repayments. This decision has been implemented through the publication of a legal notice. Credit and financial institutions licensed by the Malta Financial Services Authority have been directed by these Regulations to offer a six-month moratorium on repayments on capital and interest for borrowers who have been negatively affected by COVID-19.
The moratorium applies to credit facilities sanctioned prior to 1 March 2020 – whether to individuals, households or businesses – and who can show that they have been negatively affected by the pandemic. Applications by borrowers are to be made with their respective credit or financial institution until 30 June 2020. The Minister for Health, in consultation with the Minister for Finance and Financial Services, may decide to extend the duration of the moratorium and the duration of the application period. The six-month moratoria period will start with effect from the date of approval of the application.
A moratorium is a temporary suspension of a borrower’s repayment obligations. Therefore, borrowers eligible for this moratorium will be permitted to postpone capital and/or interest repayments to a later date – without any penalties or restructuring/administrative fees.
Further details on the applicability of the moratorium is available on Corporatedispatch.com
MEDIA COVERAGE
Timesofmalta.com
Contractors want compensation to limit works during outbreak
In a statement on Tuesday, the Malta Developers Association said that it had already instructed its members, to reduce as much as possible the unavoidable inconvenience caused by construction projects in residential areas. MDA members were directed to start excavation and demolition works after 8am. It also urged developers and contractors to avoid noisy works during sensitive hours of the day. It said it was satisfied that most of its members have already taken such measures, including some who have suspending works completely.
The association said it was totally against any abuse and called upon the authorities to continue ensuring proper enforcement of regulations.
“The MDA has made tangible proposals so that, on a temporary basis, developers and contractors can agree to reduce further excavation and demolition works. Since this will entail a reduction in working hours, the MDA is insisting with the authorities that, if such temporary measures in favour of the public are introduced, the employees involved should be treated exactly like other categories of workers who are being helped by state funds. The MDA insists that no discrimination should be allowed among workers affected by the COVID-19. The MDA appreciates their efforts to continue working is such conditions,” it added. Construction industry workers should be treated the same as all other workers and their families, it insisted.
Independent
Malta Employers’ Association announces measures to assist members
The Malta Employers’ Association has announced a set of measures to assist employers with the issues they are facing as a result from the COVID-19 outbreak. The association said it has launched a comprehensive manual for employers, which includes guidance on employment issues related to the virus, and full information on all schemes available with all the relevant links.
The manual also has a number of chapters with FAQs on various aspects of COVID-19 and employment, together with useful links and announcements by government entities. The manual is an interactive tool, which will be kept constantly updated with new information and developments. In addition, the association has notified its members that the subscriptions for 2020 will be reduced by 50%.
Printed
The Times says that the federation of trade unions is urging Prime Minister Robert Abela to intervene in the Air Malta situation to save hundreds of jobs that are expected to be cut. The federation said decisions should be taken with the airline’s recovery in mind.
L-Orizzont quotes Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci who appealed for prudence and said that Malta is still in its earlier stages of the pandemic despite less than 10 new daily cases discovered in the last two days. It also carries a report about a married couple, both of whom are doctors and have been infected by the virus. The paper says that the husband is fighting for his life, but the wife does not show any symptoms.
The Independent reveals that a new legal notice will criminalise the wilful spread of the Covid-19 disease with up to a nine-year jail sentence. Patients who spread the virus through carelessness face up to six months in prison and a fine of more than €2,300.
Editorials
The Times of Malta takes another look at the economic impact of the crisis, noting that while the tourism industry felt the biggest hit, it was not evident that this situation was spreading to other business sectors. The real estate, marketing and media industries are among the most affected even if there are other sectors that have so far not been very loud in their cries for help. The Editor calls on government to introduce more shock absorbers in the economy to deal with the secondary damage caused by this crisis. The effects of the economic reversal mean that many more small and medium-sized businesses now face an existential challenge unless extraordinary support is also extended to them.
The Independent tackles the scourge of over speeding, noting that although the pandemic restrictions have relieved the islands with a lot of the heavy traffic we had grown accustomed to, which has also resulted in an improvement of the air we breathe, this has had a number of side-effects of a few reckless drivers ignore road regulations. In this context, the Editor reminds readers that when speeding or disregarding road rules, one not only puts their own life at risk but also the lives of others.
L-Orizzont delivers a simple but clear message: Remain calm. The Editor appreciates that some scenes readers might have witnessed about foreign countries might be worrying. However, there was no reason to panic in our country, repeating assertions by the health authorities that the situation in the country was under control.
In-Nazzjon’s editor reflects on the surreal images of empty streets dominating Easter weekend, as traditional festivities were cancelled. At the same time, this gave the opportunity for people to reflect on our priorities, with health remaining the most important ‘richness’ one can have.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Scientists find mutation in coronavirus which could dent vaccine hopes
Almost every day we are comforted with news that one research team or another have carried out substantial progress in finally developing a vaccine against the novel coronavirus.
However, according to Australian and Taiwanese researches, a particular coronavirus strain isolated in India, carried a particular mutation that could significantly dent the development of a vaccine.
New lockdown to be imposed in Turkey next weekend
Turkey will impose a fresh lockdown next weekend as part of measures to halt the spread of the coronavirus, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday, after a 48-hour curfew in 31 provinces that ended at midnight.
The curfew covered all Turkey’s major cities including its commercial hub Istanbul, which is home to 16 million residents. People had rushed to shops to stock up on supplies on Friday, when the weekend lockdown was announced at short notice.
EU Corner
EU approves Swedish support scheme for airlines
In what is being considered as the first major bailout of coronavirus-affected airlines, the European Commission has approved Sweden’s 450 million euro support scheme for airlines, with Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), standing to be the may beneficiary of this deal.
The Swedish authorities estimate that approximately 20 airlines will be eligible for loan guarantees under the scheme. This includes carriers operating scheduled passenger air transport services, as well as smaller airlines operating ambulance flights and helicopter companies performing inspection services.
The EU has recently relaxed state aid criteria, which are normally stringent across the continent, to allow governments to support companies withstand the impact of the pandemic.
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.
144 – For those who require information about the financial measures administered by Malta Enterprise.
2204 2200 – For Maltese residents who were caught in one of the high-risk countries and wish to return to Malta
25981000 – For those who have questions about the educational sector and the impact of the coronavirus
21692447– For hoteliers and tourists who have questions about the announced measures.
5903030 – For elderly persons bereft of support who need medicines, ready-made meals or food products (fruit and vegetables).
25469111 – For those who work in the gaming industry.
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.
