LOCAL NEWS
Press Conference by Health Superintendent Prof. Charmaine Gauci (24th April, 1230)
In her daily briefing, Prof Gauci announced that 19 other persons have recovered, taking the tally to 223. Two were younger than nine, while three were over 60s.
Yesterday, 611 swabs were carried out, resulting in 2 positive cases, taking this particular count to 447. 60% of these were men.
The number of active cases currently stands at 221.
Today’s cases include a 60-year old Maltese carer, who works at a home for the elderly, was identified on screening before starting her shift. She had not experienced any symptoms.
The other case concerns a 43-year old man who works in a private office, and unfortunately continued to report to work despite experiencing symptoms. The necessary contact tracing at his place of work is currently taking place.
Press Conference by Economy Minister Silvio Schembri
Economy Minister Silvio Schembri announced that more than 18,200 businesses have requested wage support for almost 83,000 employees. During a press briefing this morning, Schembri said that 48,000 queries through various channels were made via Malta Enterprise. Of the 83,000 employees covered by the applications, 71,122 of these are full timers. Less than half of the applications have been approved so far.
With regard to the full wage supplement, 15,532 applications were received, covering 65,000 employees. 4,869 applications were approved, covering 11,976. Payments disbursed exceeded 10.4 million euro. Schembri said that 380 companies applied for teleworking benefits, 130 have been reviewed and 113 accepted. 1486 applications for support relating to quarantine leave have been received, 1,001 have been accepted, covering 1,098 employees.
Malta Enterprise CEO Kurt Farrugia said that the organisation has invested in an electronic system which is processing the applications in a faster way, ensuring that have of the applicants have already received confirmation of acceptance or otherwise.
Asked about the hospitality industry, the Minister said that discussions were held with the Chamber of Commerce, SME Chamber and MHRA. Studies were also carried out to identify the best support measures as well as how to carry out a ‘soft opening’ while respecting social distancing requirements. Schembri added that “we will not be rushing the re-opening of businesses so as to handout less assistance. This is an important process which should not be rushed and will be taken on expert advice, but also on blueprints which we have reviewed from other countries, in consultation with all parts involved”.
PN calls for technological assistance in strengthening the fight against the pandemic
Opposition MP Ivan Bartolo said that while health wise the country is doing an excellent task, the country needs to prepare itself for a possible second wave, recalling that the virus is an invisible enemy. It is for this reason that the PN calls for better use of technology to “expose the face of this enemy”. He insisted that we should be better prepared through the use of technology, focusing on three elements: a) improvement in the communication between the public and the health authorities; b) better logistical support for the elderly and c) better collection of health-related data.
The Party recommended the possibility of automated information through social messaging apps and the use of bots such as Facebook Messenger and Whatsapp. Ivan Bartolo also spoke about the need for an app which collected data on a voluntary basis. For the development of these technologies, specific EU funding has been made available.
MP Kristy Debono focused on online shopping, saying its a huge challenge for smaller business service due to the lack of competitive delivery services, particularly for less- expensive products. She said that post-Covid, Malta could help kickstart the economy by launching an expression of interest for a delivery service which allows small business to provide competitive delivery services.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Imprudent to remove COVID-19 restrictions all at once, Robert Abela says
Lifting of COVID-19 restrictions will be done gradually despite the temptation of a hasty return to normality, Robert Abela has warned. The Prime Minister said government will adopt a gradual and studied exit strategy similar to the approach used when restrictions were introduced last month.
Malta has so far managed to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic with the last few days registering very few new cases as more people recover from the virus.
“The numbers are what they are because of the way we operated and managed to contain the pandemic. The temptation is to act hastily but it would be a mistake. It would be imprudent to remove restrictions all at once,” Abela said when interviewed on TVM’s Xtra on Thursday night.
COVID-19 starts to bite as government finances go under by €300 million
The government deficit has more than doubled in the first three months as the country feels the pinch of the COVID-19 pandemic, figures out today show.
The deficit in government’s consolidated fund by the end of March stood at €312.5 million, the National Statistics Office said. During the same period last year, the country reported a deficit of €134.2 million.
An increase in expenditure, coupled with a reduction in revenue of €88.9 million, were the main drivers for the higher deficit.
“Decreases in revenue and increases in expenditure reflect developments related to COVID-19,” the NSO said.
Timesofmalta.com
Pandemic slowdown is an opportunity to focus on local talent – film producers
The slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is a golden opportunity for Malta’s film sector to focus on nurturing local talent and the homegrown industry, film producers believe. The Malta Producers Association (MPA) warned that the recovery of international production and its return to filming in Malta would likely be slow but said this presented “a powerful opportunity to be seized”.
With adequate support, the MPA said, the homegrown industry could be properly nurtured and helped to get on its feet and flourish. This could become a golden period for all local talent and professionals,” it said.
The proposal is one of several which the MPA published on Friday as its plan to improve fundamental issues which it said had been stalling the proper growth, development and smooth-running of Malta’s film industry.
Printed
The Times reveals that Air Malta is holding talks with unions representing its cabin crew and pilots in an effort to save jobs. The Department of Employment and Industrial Relations prohibited the airline from cutting short a 30-day period for discussions.
L-Orizzont speaks to relatives of patients who have been relocated from the Gozo hospital geriatric wing to the Downtown hotel in Victoria. Family members say that the patients are being well taken care of and they are close to them. It adds that employees in the public sector have been angered by a Malta Employers Association proposal recommending a decrease in salaries of workers in the sector who are idle in this period.
The Times quotes Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci who confirmed that the reproduction rate of the coronavirus has fallen to below 1. Prof. Gauci, however, said that the goal of the authorities is to bring it further down.
Editorials
The Times of Malta discusses the recent crash in oil pricing, saying that the immediate priority in Malta is not to reduce tariffs, but rather to carry out the necessary investment in the educational, medical and physical infrastructure. The Editor says that reductions in the prices of petrol and electricity for households and industry may become necessary if the pandemic crisis proves to be more damaging than is being envisaged at present. In the meantime, though, the government must keep its fiscal armoury well supplied with recession-fighting weapons.
The Independent argues that while airports and ports remain closed, we must sustain local tourism and visit the gems the islands have to offer. The Editor makes the point that internal tourism will play an important role in the rebound of our economy after the current crisis is over.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Global infections have passed 2.7 million
Global infections have passed 2.7 million, with deaths standing at just under 191,000.
The US leads infections with 869,000, according to the Johns Hopkins tracker, before Italy on 213,000. The US also leads global deaths at 49,954.
The next worst affected countries are Italy on 25,549 deaths, Spain on 22,157 and France on 21,856.
Potential antiviral drug for coronavirus fails in its first clinical trial
A potential antiviral drug for the coronavirus has reportedly failed in its first randomised clinical trial. There had been widespread hope that remdesivir could treat Covid-19.
But a Chinese trial showed that the drug had not been successful, according to draft documents accidentally published by the World Health Organization. The drug did not improve patients’ condition or reduce the pathogen’s presence in the bloodstream, it said.
The US firm behind the drug, Gilead Sciences, said the document had mischaracterised the study. News of the failed trial spread after the WHO posted details on its clinical trials database, before it was removed. The WHO has since confirmed the draft report was mistakenly uploaded.
It showed that researchers studied 237 patients, administering the drug to 158 and comparing their progress with the remaining 79, who received a placebo.
EU Corner
EU leaders agree to build trillion euro emergency fund – divisions remain – Budget date set for May 6th
European Union leaders agreed on Thursday to build a trillion euro emergency fund to help recover from the coronavirus pandemic, avoiding another all-night bust-up but leaving divisive details until the summer.
Meanwhile, on May 6, the European Commission will put forward a draft proposal for a new long-term budget, including a plan to finance the economic recovery from the coronavirus crisis. The timing, which von der Leyen confirmed during a videoconference of EU heads of state and government, gives the Commission just 13 days to develop the plans, which are expected to include financing for a recovery initiative totaling as much as €2 trillion.
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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.
