LOCAL NEWS
Press Conference by Health Superintendent Prof. Charmaine Gauci (23rd April, 1230)
Prof Charmaine Gauci announced that while 39 further patients have recovered from the coronavirus, only one new case was identified, a Libyan man living in the community.
Malta has now registered a total of 445 cases, 241 of which are active. 641 tests have been carried out yesterday. Prof Gauci said that the rate of reproduction of the virus was “slowly going down” and was now below 1.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Timesofmalta.com
€4.3 million paid out in COVID-19 benefit schemes
Over €4 million have been so far paid out in assistance schemes that benefit people whose income is impacted by COVID-19 and do not qualify for economic support, the Social Solidarity Ministry said on Thursday.
Permanent secretary Mark Musu said that the ministry had received over 8,500 applications for financial assistance, with 1,300 coming in the past week alone.
Since March 1, the ministry had been able to process around 7,600 of the applications received, with roughly 91% of those who applied for assistance having already received the benefit.
In total, €4.3 million have been spent on assistance benefits so far, around €400,000 of which were paid out in social security contributions. The ministry provides assistance under four benefit schemes; for parents who have to stay home to take care of their children and do not have the facility to work from home, for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses who are considered vulnerable and are not able to work from home, as well as a benefit for those who have lost their jobs and do not qualify for regular unemployment and medical benefits.
Maltatoday
Easing of lockdown measures could begin in coming days, health minister says in parliament
Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne said that partial lockdown measures put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, could start being lifted in the coming days.
Fearne said if the decline of new cases is sustained, measures will start being lifted, but warned that certain restrictions will remain in place until a vaccine is found.
The health minister said in parliament that for now, people must learn to live with the virus. He also warned against the misinterpretation in relaxing measures, stating they should not be interpreted as having a licence to organise mass events.
If need be, some restrictions will be reintroduced if the situation starts to worsen again, Fearne said. The deputy PM also said that rapid testing kits could be made available to a wide-range of people. These kits function by taking a small sample of blood, with results being shown almost immediately.
Printed
Business Today carries an interview with Chamber of SMEs deputy president Philip Fenech who said that it will take the tourism sector a long time to reach the level of business it enjoyed before the Covid-19 outbreak.
The Times quotes Health Minister Chris Fearne who said in parliament that restrictive measures linked to the coronavirus spread could start to be relaxed in the coming days. He warned, however, that things will not go back to normal until a vaccine is available.
L-Orizzont speaks to economists about the multiple impacts of the outbreak for businesses in Malta. The paper says that economic performance will not return to what it was before the outbreak in the immediate term.
Business Today quotes Employers Association director general, Joe Farrugia, who said that the relatively low unemployment figures for March shows that employers are doing their best to avoid layoffs.
The Independent says that reserves at the Blood Transfusion Service are at a critical low as donations have dropped sharply since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak. The medical director of the blood centre, Alex Aquilina said that transfusion is completely safe for donors.
L-Orizzont says that the General Workers Union is opposing a proposal by the Employers Association to reduce the salaries of employees in the public sector who are currently out of work.
The Times speaks to relatives of two former patients at the geriatrics department of the Gozo hospital who passed away after being relocated to the Downtown hotel in Victoria. They expressed anger over the “claustrophobic” conditions of the hotel.
The Malta Business Weekly quotes a United Nations report warning of widespread famines around the world that could affect up to 250 million people. Besides the pandemic, many countries in Africa and Asia have been hit by drought and a locust infestation.
Editorials
The Times of Malta refers to recent comments by DPM Chris Fearne regarding reducing restrictions, urging caution and prudence. The Editor argues that Malta sits behind the infection curve of most countries. What has happened in these countries has taken place later in Malta. The government must continue to learn from the experience of these places, from both the positive and the negative.
Business Today recommends that while there are no tourists around and few people on the roads, the key tourist hotspots should be given a major spruce up that also includes infrastructural works to upgrade services, roads and public infrastructure. The Editor also calls on government to draw up a plan to offer airlines market support for when borders start to open.
In-Nazzjon dedicates its leading column to the now-familiar face of Professor Charmaine Gauci, the Health Superintendent, whose daily briefings have been described by the Editor as open and transparent. Prof Gauci is giving a face for the large number of healthcare professionals who are leading the fight against the virus on a daily basis.
L-Orizzont warns against using the pandemic to justify the erosion of rights. It refers to recent anti-democractic decisions in Hungary and Poland, as well as a reduction of workers’ rights in France.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
World Medical Association criticizes German decision to make public wear face masks
The president of the World Medical Association, a federation of national medical associations, has criticized the decision taken by all German states to require residents to wear face masks in public.
“I wear a mask out of politeness and solidarity, but I think making it a legal requirement is the wrong move,” association president Frank Ulrich Montgomery told German daily the Rheinische Post. “People wearing masks think they are safe, and they forget the most important factor, which is keeping a minimum distance from other people.”
Montgomery added that wearing the masks improperly could be more dangerous than not wearing them at all. The virus collects in the fabric of the mask, which makes it very easy to become infected when removing it from your face, he explained
Greece extends coronavirus lockdown measures by a week to May 4
Greece on Thursday extended its general coronavirus lockdown by a week to May 4, saying any relaxation would be staggered out over May and June.
Greek authorities imposed a blanket shutdown of public life from mid-March to stem coronavirus contagion, and the country has recorded a significantly lower outbreak of the COVID-19 respiratory disease than many other European nations.
Restrictions, which include movements by members of the public only with an officially approved permit, will be extended to May 4 from April 27, government spokesman Stelios Petsas told a news briefing.
EU Corner
Crunch European Summit later today
This afternoon EU leaders are expected to take crucial decisions on the EU’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak. It will be the fourth video meeting between the nations’ top politicians.
In his letter issued on 21 April, President Michel invited EU leaders to discuss joint action to overcome the COVID-19 crisis. He presented a joint roadmap for recovery, prepared together with President von der Leyen. The roadmap focuses on the single market, massive investment efforts, EU global action and on better governance and resilience.
While it is largely expected that the EU borrows money from the market and pours it into the EU budget, the big dilemma remains on the distribution method: while northern and financially stronger economies generally favoured issuing loans, the Southern, indebited nations such as Italy and Spain are pushing for grants. A combination of the two would be a likely conclusion. What is certain, is that much of Europe’s – and the EU’s – future is at stake today.
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)
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.
