A three-day Eurovision Song spectacle coming this weekend

Feb 14 2022

Right after XFactor Malta Season 3 came to an end this past weekend, Malta Eurovision Song Contest will be returning for a spectacle of song spread over three evenings.

Three shows will be presented between Thursday and Saturday. Between Thursday’s semi-final and Saturday’s final, the Friday show will be dedicated to singers who have represented Malta in past editions of the company.

Singers who won the competition in the past will be returning for a throwback on stage. We’re expecting some familiar beloved faces to remind the Maltese of their long-standing passion for the Eurovision Song Contest.

In the meantime, 22 songs will be competing for the winning prize and represent Malta in Turin, Italy in May after Maneskin won the competition back in 2021. Destiny Chukunyere represented Malta last year with her song ‘Je Me Casse.’

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New breakwaters and wharfs in Buġibba and Marsamxett

Feb 14 2022

Two new breakwaters and wharfs are being planned for Marsamxett and Buġibba, aiming to boost the localities’ and the country’s maritime travel. Infrastructure Malta released calls for these projects, with the Planning Authority approving the permits for the facilities in Marsamxett.

With work currently ongoing on wharfs in Sliema and Bormla, the chief responsible for maritime projects in Infrastructure Malta, architect Janice Borg, explained how works in Bormla are currently the most advanced. In the past few months, new aquatic infrastructure was built, with contractors descending approximately 3 storeys deep underwater. The wharf’s new surface was laid upon 19 new concrete pillars.

The new infrastructure will consist of mechanised walkways to help passengers board and get off boats with more security. Architect Borg revealed that the Bormla facilities will be used in the coming weeks, with the entire project being completed by the middle of this year.

A similar situation can be found in Sliema, with the new wharfs almost completed. The remaining work consists of finding and establishing spaces where passengers can find shelter and other facilities such as ticket machines. The newly issued calls are for the Marsamxett and Buġibba breakwaters, which are expected to be far bigger than the current ongoing projects. The investment into these projects is set to exceed €30 million.

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Photo Source: TVM

Malta among the 10 best countries for remote working

Feb 14 2022

The pandemic has really impacted how we view our working habits and lifestyle, with many businesses shifting to remote or flexible working throughout the virus’ annoying stay. Malta was no stranger to this move, with many taking to waking from their homes. Not all found it ideal, but the island has been ranked as one of the best places to work remotely.

Malta was ranked at 6th place from a list of over 100 nations, assigning scores to countries based on their weather, cost of living, health/safety and other categories. The top of the list is occupied by Portugal, with the ranking citing it’s political stability, excellent weather and high percentage of English speaking locals as the factors which draw in remote workers.

As for our island of Malta in sixth place, the list ranked Malta among the top 10 due to its health and safety and remote work scores. The low COVID rate was also factored in, describing the island as the ‘perfect place for a safe and healthy remote work location.’

They also touted Malta’s ‘recently established year long nomad residency permit’, which aims to bring remote workers to the country for some productivity balanced with rest and relaxation. Malta was overtaken by Spain, Romania, Mauritius and Japan in 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th place respectively. The island however managed to best Costa Rica, Panama, the Czech Republic and Germany.

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Jab certificates for cinemas, gyms and bars no longer needed

Feb 14 2022

More COVID-19 measures continue to be eased today. At the end of January, Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne had announced that a vaccine certificate will no longer be required from February 14th to enter bars, gyms, pools, spas, cinemas and theatres.

These establishments still have to follow health standards issued by the health authorities. This follows the removal of vaccine certificate requirements for restaurants, snack bars and każini on February 7th.

On the 4th of this month, Fearne made a separate announcement, revealing that passengers coming to Malta from dark red zone countries who possess a valid vaccine certificate will be required to quarantine for 10 days instead of 14 as of today.

Those coming to Malta from abroad who are required to quarantine will also be allowed to do so at their own residence instead of the quarantine hotel. This is the case even if they only have a work permit. Quarantine hotels will only be used for people who are expected to quarantine but do not have a residency or work permit.

Malta currently has 1,628 active cases, with 1,231,182 doses of the COVID vaccine administered till yesterday. In the past 24 hours, 3 people died of COVID in Malta, bringing up the death tally to 592. 54 are currently being treated at Mater Dei, with 3 being in intensive care.

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