Call for minimum age on legal cannabis use by family doctors

Apr 16 2021

The Association of Private Family Doctors (APFD) has stated that decriminalisation of cannabis can lead to the use of other illicit drugs and thus called to establish a minimum age for legal cannabis use. The association recognises the need for the substance’s decriminalisation in small quantities, but it could lead to an increase in overall consumption and use of other illicit drugs.

With the government’s launch of a public consultation process on the White Paper to strengthen the legal framework on the responsible use, the APFD stated that use of cannabis in young brains has more harmful effects, alongside the risk of dependence and the move to harder illicit drugs. The APFD also suggested increased campaigns of educational content targeted at vulnerable groups.

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Pfizer makes up 68% of vaccine doses administered in Malta

Apr 16 2021

The Malta Independent has been informed that 68% of the vaccine doses administered in Malta up until last Sunday were Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines. The figures were provided by the Health Ministry and show that along with 28% being AstraZeneca and 4% being Moderna, Pfizer makes up the bulk of administered vaccines. Translated numerically, 166,244 were Pfizer vaccines.

As for the other vaccine brands, 68,147 were AstraZeneca and 10,327 Moderna. The figures do not however specify whether the doses were first or second doses and how many people received each vaccine. The number of people fully vaccinated with the Pfizer is higher than those vaccinated with other vaccines. This is due to waiting period, with Pfizer requiring only three-week gaps, significantly lower than the others.

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Malta with biggest EU retail drop in February

Apr 16 2021

According to Eurostat, Malta has recorded the biggest drop in retail volume within the EU in February. Other member states made a recovery of 3% between January and February, Malta suffered a drop of 1.5%. The sector in the majority of EU countries improved with Austria, Slovenia and Italy at the helm. Despite this, an overall drop of 2.2% across Europe in February when compared to 2020 indicates that the sector is still recuperating from the COVID-19 impact.

Comparing February of last year and this year, Malta registered the third-highest drop at 8.9%. Malta Chamber of SMEs Vice President Philip Fenech stated that 70% of retail in Malta depends on tourism and thus the drop was not surprising. Prime Minister Robert Abela stated last Sunday that authorities were developing a financial aid package for those hit hardest by the pandemic.

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Prime Minister inaugurates largest Marsa infrastructure project

Apr 16 2021

Prime Minister Robert Abela stated on Thursday during the inauguration of the Marsa junction project that the flyover is the largest ever infrastructure project in Malta. Describing it as having changed the face of the south of Malta, Abela stated the the €70 million seven lane flyover was an ambitious governmental plan’s result. It would provide Malta with the competitive edge in the global market once the COVID-19 pandemic was over.

Jum storiku għal dan il-Gvern 🇲🇹Grazzi lill-Prim Ministru Robert Abela li kompla jemmen f'dan il-proġett tant…

Posted by Ian Borg on Thursday, 15 April 2021

Transport Minister Ian Borg stated that the government managed to overcome all obstacles on time, despite the scepticism regarding the completion date. He also emphasised the project’s protection of the worker’s health and safety, with no fatalities at the workplace. Infrastructure Malta CEO Fredrick Azzopardi said the project provides safety to cyclists and will make travelling time will be made more efficient.

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