LOCAL NEWS
Press Conference by Health Superintendent Prof. Charmaine Gauci (22nd April, 1230)
Health Superintendent Prof Charmaine Gauci announced that 15 more people have recovered taking the total to 165.
808 swab tests were carried out in the past 24 hours resulting in only one new positive case. Malta has registered a total of 444 positive cases, 276 of them being still active.
Today’s case concerns a young Maltese woman, whose only contact was with family members.
Asked on lifting of restrictive measures, Prof Gauci said the authorities were still investigating the spread of the virus. These measures will be assessed against the risks they bring about, and plans are being made accordingly.
Press Conference by Opposition
The Nationalist Party called for a reduction of utility prices by 50%, in consideration of current realities, namely significantly lower prices for energy sources around the globe. Addressing a press conference this afternoon, Energy Shadow Minister Ryan Callus described it as a travesty of justice if families and businesses continue to pay high prices for electricity consumption at a time when they are being forced to spend more time at home, including to work.
In parallel, the current pandemic and economic repercussions have brought about an unprecedented decrease in the price of oil, which has touched negative territory for the first time in the US earlier this week. Gas prices tend to follow suit, with Callus pointing out that gas prices today are 36% lower than at the time the signing with Electrogas took place.
Unfortunately, the PN spokesperson said, Labour’s insistence to go ahead with this shady deal, tying Malta for 18 whole years, has meant that Maltese families and businesses are paying some 91 million more for their energy requirements.
MP Hermann Schiavone called for a reduction in the price of meter rental for businesses, particularly for those whose businesses had come to a complete standstill.
Statement by Central Bank of Malta – Economy to grow again next year
The Maltese economy will recover and start growing again next year. In a report, the Central Bank of Malta emphasised that which international credit agencies and the International Monetary Fund have said with regard to our country, namely that it is currently in a state where it can fiscally adopt to the current needs.
The Central Bank said that the fiscal space created in the last few years, together with the Central European Bank’s monetary stimulus, will help to reduce Covid-19’s negative impact on the Maltese economy. According to this report, the financial and fiscal measures announced by the government to assist the private sector will also help to mitigate the negative impact of the pandemic. The Central Bank will continue evaluating the situation and contribute to the necessary actions that need to be taken.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Printed
Malta Today says that authorities are closely monitoring developments over the next ten days before they decide on lifting any of the restrictions imposed to control the spread of the coronavirus.
The Times says that unemployment jumped by 20 percent in March compared to the same month last year. Data by the National Statistics Office indicates an increase in joblessness by 28 percent from February, with the start of the pandemic.
L-Orizzont says that unemployment levels in March were similar to figures registered in December 2017, counting 2,125 jobless. The paper says that the government’s rescue measures are limiting the impact of the crisis on the economy.
The Independent quotes survey results by the Gozo Tourism Association which reveals that 84 percent of members see a difficult future for the island’s tourism after Covid-19. Respondents are calling for an immediate response to the crisis.
In-Nazzjon reports demands by the Malta Employers’ Association for energy prices to be lowered with immediate effect to reflect international oil prices. The association says that consumers are paying more since they are forced to stay indoors.
L-Orizzont reports that 150 Covid-19 patients have now overcome the disease after 24 cases were confirmed recovered on Tuesday. Meanwhile, another 12 people tested positive for swab tests raising the number of active cases to 290.
Editorials
The Times of Malta focuses on the current situation at Air Malta, arguing that the airline’s problems certainly do not start with the pandemic, but rather a result of flawed business models, lack of competitiveness in an overcrowded industry, bad management decisions, too much political interference and inadequate oversight by EU regulators. To this list of obstacles, one must add the industrial unrest caused by trade unions, especially the cabin crew and pilots’ union. The Editor describes some of the requests by employees, particularly pilots, as an indication of how detached some workers are from the realities that the airline industry in Europe is facing.
The Independent rails against the “stupidity” of a number of comments placed on social media, particularly in relation to the pandemic Worse than this, it is evident that the social media has helped in no small way in the distribution of fake news and misinformation which, in a serious situation such as this Coronavirus pandemic that the world is facing, add to the confusion and panic.
Maltatoday supports Minister Chris Fearne’s outlook that the easing of restrictions will only be carried out if the health authorities indicate that it is safe to do so. The Editorial insists that health should be the determining factor in taking this important stop, despite the evident economic pressure that will naturally be present.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Trials on UK vaccine on people to start Thursday
Clinical trials of a coronavirus vaccine will begin on people from Thursday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said.
The COVID-19 vaccine is being developed by scientists at the University of Oxford, who have said it has an 80% chance of success.
Mr Hancock told the government’s daily briefing that the Oxford trial and another at
Imperial College London would each get at least another £20m of public money.
The Oxford vaccine, called ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, is made from a harmless chimpanzee virus that has been genetically engineered to carry part of the coronavirus.
Deals have already been done with three UK manufacturers, and several more abroad, to make the vaccine.
China reports increase in new coronavirus cases
Mainland China reported on Wednesday 30 new coronavirus cases, 23 of which were so- called imported cases involving travellers from overseas, up from 11 a day earlier.
The National Health Commission said in a statement the number of new asymptomatic patients, who are infected with the virus but not showing symptoms, also rose to 42 from 37 a day earlier.
A total of 82,788 coronavirus cases have been reported to date in mainland China, while the number of deaths remained unchanged at 4,632.
EU Corner
€100 billion from the EU to keep people in jobs
The European Parliament said in a statement this morning that when taking into consideration all the initiatives launched at European level to safeguard employment, the total assistance will be reaching up to a 100 billion euro.
Many businesses are experiencing economic difficulties as a result of the Covid-19 crisis and have had to temporarily suspend or substantially reduce their activities and the working hours of their staff. To support employers and to protect workers and the self- employed from losing their jobs or incomes, the European Commission pushed through a temporary instrument called Sure (Support to mitigate Unemployment Risks in an Emergency), to complement national efforts to protect employment.
During the crisis, the EU has approved financial assistance under the Sure programme in the form of loans granted on favourable terms to EU countries that request support. Assistance would finance national short-time work schemes, unemployment benefits and similar job protection measures. Up to €100 billion will be available to all 27 member states.
EU funds must reach media and creative sector, say MEPs
Members of the European Parliament insisted that additional EU action is needed to make sure EU help reaches the hard-hit media and culture sectors. In a statement, the EP noted that the culture and creative sector in the EU – especially individual creators and SMEs – and the media sector are being decimated by the crisis.
The European Union must therefore do more to help those struggling sectors to get back on their feet, stressed the members of the European Parliament’s Culture and Education Committee, in a letter to Commissioners Thierry Breton and Mariya Gabriel, sent on Monday.
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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.
