LOCAL NEWS
Update by Ministry of Health
The Health Ministry confirmed that four new cases of coronavirus in Malta were identified during the past 24 hours, from 1137 tests. There were also ten new recoveries, bringing down the number of active cases to 108.
The total number of infections has reached 615.
#MALTA-24: LOCAL NEWS
Times of Malta
Airport expected to reopen by mid-July but routes will be decimated
The authorities are planning to reopen Malta’s airport for passengers by mid-July, though half the island’s scheduled air routes have been wiped out because of the pandemic.
Multiple sources said MIA is expected to be given the go-ahead to start operating commercial flights around July 15, after it was shut down on March 21 to try to slow down the spread of COVID-19.
“Should the COVID-19 cases remain under control, the airport will open in July, and that’s sooner than most of us envisaged,” one insider said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
But the impact on air travel has been devastating as airlines fight for survival.
Contacted on Wednesday, MIA CEO Alan Borg said around 70 of the 120 winter 2020/2021 routes have now been cancelled as well as some 60 of the 144 summer 2021 routes.
“We expect to lose most of our connections with Scandinavia, which is one of our strategic markets,” Borg said.
Airport reopening: Doctors welcome July, hoteliers demand June date
A plan to reopen Malta International Airport in July has been welcomed by doctors but slammed by hoteliers, who are demanding an earlier date. Martin Balzan, president of the Medical Association of Malta, said that it as a “more cautious approach”.
“I know Malta depends on tourism, but I’m glad to see more weight is being given to health,” he said. “I know this decision will not help hotel and restaurant owners, but we’ll have to monitor the numbers of COVID19 cases being reported over the next month and a half, and see if it’s still the right decision to reopen closer to the time.”
Tony Zahra, president of Malta’s Hotel and Restaurant Association, strongly disagrees with a mid-July opening date. “Waiting until July is simply not acceptable as we will miss the summer. Other countries like Greece, Cyprus and Spain are reopening in June, so why can’t we?” he asked. Zahra said the hotel industry is now completely decimated.
Maltatoday
Edward Scicluna warns of EU rescue package: ‘Beware the fruit that can be a pricklypear’
Edward Scicluna has warned of the potential pitfalls of a proposed EU rescue package, insisting that financing options being floated could harm Malta. The Finance Minister sounded the warning in parliament on Wednesday afternoon when asked about the rescue package being discussed at EU level as part of the COVID-19 recovery.
“This is not just about the percentage of EU funds that will be distributed as grants or on loan but we must beware the fruit that can turn out to be a prickly pear,” Scicluna said.
The Malta Independent
General public following social distancing norms on beaches as advised – MTA
As more people flocked to beaches over the past couple of weekends, the Malta Tourism Authority told The Malta Independent that the general public is following the social distancing norms as advised.
Social distancing also applies on beaches, as advised by the national health authorities. The authorities have issued mandatory conditions for beaches, beach establishments and beach concessions. These requirements are a legal obligation.
Printed
The Malta Business Weekly says that HSBC Holdings is considering its operations in several countries including Malta. The global bank’s board is reported to have called for a ‘deep restructuring’ that will see it return to the Asian market.
The Times says that authorities are planning to reopen the airport for visitors in mid- July, four months after it was closed down. MIA CEO Alan Borg said that more than half of the winter and summer schedules this year have been wiped out.
L-Orizzont speaks to Gozo Tourism Authority CEO Joe Muscat who said that the tourism industry in the island is starting to pick up signals of movement since the return of travel across the channel at the beginning of this month.
The Independent speaks to a Tourism Authority spokesperson who said that beachgoers are generally observing social distancing rules. Beach establishments and concessions are also bound by mandatory requirements to reinforce distancing.
In-Nazzjon covers a visit by PN Leader Adrian Delia to the Mosta health centre on Wednesday. Delia thanked professionals and staff for their work and said that, with caution, the country will reap the results of its sacrifice during the pandemic.
Editorials
It is The Times of Malta’s turn to condemn the Floriana FC supporters for throwing social distancing rules to the wind, reminding readers of the efforts made by many to ensure their own and other people’s safety. However, the Editor argues that those who flouted the rules could have been highly influenced by the signals and attitudes of the people they look up to and trust. In this context, the Times argues that a prime minister who turns the need for continued caution on its head and frames it in terms of fear – “our biggest enemy” – is sending out the wrong message.
The Independent also tackles the issue of economy above safety, and refers to recent relaxation of rules which ensured that restaurants and cafeterias more platforms, tables and chairs have appeared on pavements overnight. The Editor argues that the authorities made an existing problem many times worse, and argues that this a case where measures are being introduced without proper consultation and foresight.
Business Today looks into the massive recovery plan proposed by the European Commission, which is recommending 750 billion euro to be allocated between Member States through grants and loans. It also refers to the Minister of Finance’s concerns on this funding. The Editor argues that the answer to this must be a balanced deal that sees the stronger EU countries shoulder a bigger burden, while insisting on expenditure transparency to ensure utilised funds are invested well. It must also include sensible ways of financing the huge bill without putting disproportionate burdens on small countries like Malta and others on the periphery of the continent.
L-Orizzont describes as unfortunate the recent spate of critiscm towards teachers, with many online commentators alleging that members of this category are getting paid “for nothing”. The Editor argues that this is a long-standing problem that should be addressed by authorities.
In-Nazzjon discusses the financial services sector, and looks at recent damning reports which highlighted Malta’s downward reputation in this sector. The Editor argues that a successful niche of the Maltese economy has now been tarnished by corruption and money-laundering, and a robust effort needs to be undertaken to ensure that Malta’s reputation in this field is restored.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Germany reduces VAT for restaurants
Germany’s parliament voted on Thursday to slash value-added tax on restaurant meals by more than half for a year to help them recoup devastating losses caused by the lockdown and social distancing introduced to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The hospitality trade has been among the worst-hit of all sectors of the economy by the restrictions that were imposed in March to help prevent the pandemic overwhelming Germany’s healthcare system.
The measure, passed in parliament by a wide majority on Thursday, cuts the sales tax restaurant guests pay on food to 7% from 19%.
Restaurants have re-opened to eat-in guests, though rules requiring a minimum distance between tables continue to weigh on profits in the sector. Industry associations warn that swathes of businesses in the sector are on the brink of bankruptcy.
Finance Minister Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats have promised to further support the gastronomy sector in an impending economic stimulus package.
GSK to produce 1 bln doses of coronavirus vaccine booster in 2021
GlaxoSmithKline Plc will expand production of vaccine efficacy boosters, or adjuvants, to produce 1 billion doses in 2021 for use in shots for COVID-19, the British drugmaker said on Thursday.
The London-listed company said it was in talks with governments on backing for the programme, which would effectively allow for a scaling up of production of future successful vaccines for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
GSK is one of several companies in the race to develop a vaccine for the respiratory illness that currently has no treatment and has already killed about 350,000 people. The British drugmaker is working on its own COVID vaccine with Sanofi.
Adjuvants have been shown to create a stronger and longer-lasting immunity against infections.
GSK’s adjuvant can reduce the amount of vaccine protein required per dose, which would allow for more vaccines to be made, the British drugmaker said.
Experts have predicted that a successful vaccine will take over a year to develop, and companies and governments are pouring money into dozens of programmes as the only viable solution that will allow the world to escape durably from coronavirus lockdowns and get economies moving again.
EU Corner – by Comuniq.EU
Malta set to benefit one billion euro from EU Recovery Plan
Malta will be receiving around a billion euro to support its economic and social efforts in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is understood that this allocation will consist of 350 million euro in direct cash grants with the remainder in loans.
The EPP Group in Parliament warmly welcomed the budget and recovery proposals presented by Commission President von der Leyen. Manfred Weber MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group, said: “Today we are putting solidarity back at the heart of Europe, where it belongs. We are saying loud and clear that Europe will not leave any person or country behind in this crisis.”
As European countries have been pushing back the deadly Coronavirus, the economic impact has forced the EU to act. Weber continued: “We need massive investments in our economies to prevent another lost generation, like we saw during the financial crisis. This is why it is crucial the new plan gives hope and perspectives to future generations, to help them build a better tomorrow. We don’t need new money to pay for old deficits; we need it to build a better future for our children.”
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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.
