150,000 British tourists predicted for Malta amidst UK variant spike

Jun 28 2021

Speaking to Times of Malta, Malta International Airport chief Alan Borg revealed that around 150,000 Brits will be making their way to Malta following the green-listing. This number will span July to the end of this year, with Malta’s inclusion onto the UK’s green-list proving to be a tourism game-changing moment. However, is Malta ready for the amount of Britons making their way to the island following the spike of the delta variant?

Before the announcement of quarantine-free travel, arrivals from British airports were already on the increase. Around 8,000 UK passengers made their way to Malta in the first three weeks of June. The Delta variant however has run rampant in the UK, pushing forth Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s reopening plan by several weeks.

The variant accounts for 95% of the confirmed infections in the UK, with these surging in the last couple of weeks. German Chancellor Angela Merkel in fact called for a mandatory quarantine to be imposed on British travellers. Malta will instead only allow fully vaccinated Brits to enter the island. Borg calls this a fair compromise, as taking Merkel’s advice would have dealt a significant blow to the tourism industry. 60% of the adult population in Britain is fully vaccinated.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: Malta Info Guide

Alfred Sant calls for open debate about abortion

Jun 28 2021

Former Prime Minister and Labour MEP Alfred Sant has called for an open debate on abortion. This news comes days after he abstained from voting on a report which identifies abortion as a human right. Sant stated that even though the debate should respect cultural and behavioural norms, these factors should not impose themselves upon rights. The non-binding report was pushed forth by S&D group member Fred Matic, which calls for universal access to legal and safe abortion, maternal health care, and sexual education across the EU.

Only Labour MEP Cyrus Engerer signed in favour of the report. Doctors for Choice estimate that at least 300 women in Malta have abortions every year, despite the country having some of the strictest laws against abortion in the EU. Women do it through aboriton pills or by travelling abroad.

Sant stated that he had expressed support for the principles upheld in the report. He said that an open debate was needed, and that projecting onto people who support abortion as being heartless or immoral is a hypocritical act. ‘The complex dilemmas that abortion issues raise should be resolved by communities following an open and tolerant debate.’

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: Alfred Sant FB, EURACTIV.com

Man arrested for drug importation and trafficking

Jun 28 2021

A 62-year-old Canadian man is being held under arrest in connection to importation, trafficking and possession of cannabis. The man was arrested Friday 25th June 2021 by the Malta Police Force’s Drug Squad after being informed that three boxes filled with around 18,000 cigarettes suspected to be illegal cannabis had been imported. The boxes were addressed to the 62-year-old who is a resident of Swieqi.

Further investigations in his Swieqi residence resulted in the finding of further products made from cannabis extract, with some made from the same material as the imported cannabis. An inquiry was opened up with the man expected to be taken to court today.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: Malta Police Force Communications

Woman seriously injured following traffic accident

Jun 28 2021

Police were informed today at around 8 a.m of a traffic accident which happened in Triq San Guzepp, Rahal Gdid. Preliminary investigations revealed that a 72-year-old woman from the same locality was hit by a vehicle. The Daihatsu car was driven by a 23-year-old man who is also lives in Rahal Gdid.

The woman was given immediate assistance and taken promptly to Mater Dei hospital. She was later certified to have suffered grievous injuries. Investigations are still ongoing.

#MaltaDaily