LOCAL NEWS
Press Conference by Health Superintendent Prof. Charmaine Gauci (4th May, 1230)
During today’s daily briefing Prof Charmaine Gauci said that three new cases were identified yesterday, taking the total to 480 positive cases. 399 persons have now recovered, which tallied to the four who passed away, means that less than 80 persons are now infected.
Two of the new cases concern a 33-year old man and a 50-year old woman, both Maltese, who had previous contact with a person previously identified as positive. The third person is a 26-year old health care worker employed at Mater Dei. He had reported to work the day before showing the first symptoms.
Prof Gauci re-iterated that the wearing of masks was mandatory on public transport and in retail outlets, which was punishable by fines. Children under the age of 3 were exempted.
Malta Chamber opposes price fixing on masks
The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry described Government’s move to revert to price orders as unacceptable, and one which creates an “unnecessary dangerous precedent in the wake of reportedly sufficient stocks of protective masks in the country”.
The Chamber said it is aware of the cost of supply from the international markets and the competition for such essential products to be attracted to Malta. Local suppliers are dependent on such market forces and this must be recognised. It added that it will strongly oppose price orders issued in times of extraordinary crisis especially when other alternatives available to the Government to support customers and the public at large would have been discounted.
Inspections and fines
A record number of 124 persons were each fined €100 during the continuous rounds Police are conducting to ensure that no gatherings involving more than 3 persons in public take place, as per the legal notice issued by Government.
In the meantime, no one was found breaching obligatory quarantine during any of the 309 inspections carried out by Environmental Health Officers and police in the last 24 hours.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Timesofmalta.com
Only a quarter of businesses surveyed by the Chamber of Commerce believe their sales, in a year’s time, will reach the same levels reached before the coronavirus outbreak.
Half of the respondents foresee a 25 per cent reduction in “head-count and turnover” by that time. If the situation persists for another three months, a quarter of business owners, including those in export, predict they will register an estimated 75 per cent drop or more in sales.
The survey was carried out just before the first relaxation of COVID-19 measures was announced, with some non-essential outlets allowed to open from today.
Pharmacists won’t sell face masks until government clarifies price cap
Pharmacists will not sell disposable surgical masks as of Monday unless the government clarifies that they have no say over pricing, the industry’s Chamber said.
In a statement, the Chamber of Pharmacists hit out at Economy Minister Silvio Schembri after he announced on Sunday that the price of disposable face masks has been capped at 95c and that of face shields at €5.
Sources in the pharmacy sector told Times of Malta that selling masks at 95c would force them into making a loss, as they had purchased current stocks at higher prices.
Independent
Some shops re-open, new rules on surgical masks come into force
As of today, it is mandatory to wear surgical masks or visors in shops and buses, as per legal notice announced by the government on Friday.
Shoppers, shop assistants and people on public transport have to wear masks to protect themselves and others from spreading the Coronavirus.
Until yesterday, the wearing of face masks in shops that had remained open during the crisis, such as supermarkets, was optional. As from today, it is mandatory
Newsbook
Over €300,000 raised for charity through Malta Together’s ‘Festival of Gratitude and Inspiration’
Malta Together’s festival of Gratitude and Inspiration was aired on Sunday 3rd May to thank the healthcare workers, other frontliners and volunteers who are involved in the fight against the medical and social problems brought on by COVID-19.
The festival has brought to light the inspiring generosity of both the local and foreign communities in Malta. In the days prior to the event, various companies and individuals were approached to support a number of exceptional initiatives doing fantastic work on the ground in Malta during these challenging times.
Through the festival’s sponsors and donors, over €300,000 was raised for nine exceptional initiatives: Richmond Foundation, Inspire Foundation, Malta Trust Foundation, Foodbank Lifeline Foundation, St Jeanne Antide Foundation, Jesuit Refugee Service, Victory Kitchen, FIDEM Charity Foundation and Dar Tal-Providenza.
From support for people with disabilities and people with mental health issues, to foodbanks for those that cannot afford to feed their families, these nine initiatives were handpicked to help them to continue their outstanding work.
Printed
The Times carries a survey conducted by the Chamber of Commerce showing that 85 percent of businesses registered a decline in sales and exports, but only a quarter are confident they will return to pre-covid levels in a year’s time.
L-Orizzont publishes an interview with Fr Hayden Williams, who is living at the Corradino Correctional Facility. He said that, although no one is immune to the Covid-19, the most vulnerable suffer more. It also speaks to Maltese emigrant, Charles Belli, who has been in quarantine for fifty days. He said that life will not return to what it used to be until a vaccine is found and made available.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Italy starts new phase in coronavirus lockdown aftermath
Italy entered phase two of the coronavirus emergency on Monday, with the start of the gradual relaxation of the lockdown measures that have been in force for 55 days.
Some four million people who had been at home during the lockdown are estimated to be returning to their workplaces.
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte appealed to the public to act responsibly and respect social distancing and other rules, saying “the future of Italy is in our hands”. The relaxation of the restrictions sees production activities resume and parks reopening so people can go for a stroll on May 4.
World leaders in effort to coordinate fight against the coronavirus
World leaders are to participate in a virtual summit today to coordinate and finance the fight against the coronavirus pandemic with much attention expected to be given to the development of a vaccine.
The online pledging conference, which will be attended by the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Saudi Arabia, and representatives of the EU, aims to secure more than £6bn in funding to support the global response to the coronavirus pandemic.
This will be used to support the development of treatments, tests and ultimately the mass production of a vaccine if one can be found.
However, the absence of both China and the US from the virtual summit is likely to raise concerns that competition between states to secure a vaccine could hinder global efforts
EU Corner
ECB could increase size of bond-buying programme if crisis persists – Lagarde
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde announced that the Bank would be ready to increase its planned €750 billion bond-buying programme to support European economies in the current economic crisis brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.
According to a number of forecasts, the eurozone economy could fall by as much as 12% this year, on the assumption that there is not an equally deadly second wave of infections later this year.
Since the ECB issued its Pandemic Emergency Purchase Programme (PEPP) in mid- March, the situation has worsened around the continent. The ECB estimates that the eurozone economy stands to drop between 5% and 12%, according to the duration of social and economic restrictions.
In this context, ECB President Christine Lagarde insisted that the institution was “fully prepared to increase the size of the PEPP and adjust its composition, by as much as necessary and for as long as needed.”
More News:
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Additional info
Helplines
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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.
