Charmaine Gauci insists wearing masks should remain a public health measure

Apr 24 2021

Superintendent for Public Health Charmaine Gauci has stated in her weekly COVID-19 bulletin that Malta should not stop the mask wearing health measure as it is key in mitigating the virus. She added that wearing masks will still be an obligation until the country has achieved population immunity due to the vaccine roll out. With the reopening of schools and relaxation of several measures, Professor Gauci emphasised the adherence to the health measures as the daily cases continue to drop.

The Superintendent also reported that there are currently four cases of the South African virus and three cases of the Brazilian virus in Malta. She also stated there were no COVID-19 clusters in schools due to most of staff being vaccinated, with only seven staff members and 28 student cases found positive.

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Photo Source: Anna Shvets, Charmaine Gauci FB

US lifts ban on Johnson & Johnson vaccine

Apr 24 2021

The US joins Malta and the EU in their lifting of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine ban. The one shot vaccine was put on an 11-day pause due to concerns of blood clotting. Scientists however have advised that the benefits far outweigh the risks of blood clotting. The government had found 15 vaccinated individuals, all women, who developed unusual blood clotting post-vaccination.

Most of the patients were aged under 50, with three of them dying and seven remaining hospitalised. The federal health officials however deemed the one shot vaccine as critical to fighting the pandemic as it also aids vaccination roll out. An FDA Acting Commissioner stated that the decision was not reached lightly, whilst also recommending that the low chance of clotting be handled by warning younger women in order for them to decide whether to use that shot or get an alternative.

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Photo Source: BBC, IAmExpatGermany

Tourists visiting Malta to receive €100 vouchers for diving and sports during summer

Apr 23 2021

It has just been announced that tourists travelling to Malta this summer may be eligible for €100 vouchers for diving and sports activities, as part of the country’s tourism recovery plan.

A total of €750,000 have been invested into diving vouchers with another €1.5 million covering other sports activities accredited by SportMalta, with tourists being able to apply for the €100 diving vouchers as early as June.

The €100 sports vouchers, on the other hand, will be made available from July, with Minister Bartolo holding that sport is a niche which will positively contribute to the island’s sustainable tourism industry throughout the year.

Il-Ministru għat-Turiżmu u l-Protezzjoni tal-Konsumatur Clayton Bartolo iħabbar inċentivi għat-turiżmu sportiv u d-diving.

Il-Ministru għat-Turiżmu u l-Protezzjoni tal-Konsumatur Clayton Bartolo iħabbar inċentivi għat-turiżmu sportiv u d-diving.

Posted by MaltaGov on Friday, 23 April 2021

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‘Marsa incinerator’s move to EcoHive will develop Malta’s ‘waste to resources’ policy & protect local land’ – Farrugia

Apr 23 2021

During an interview with Keith Demicoli on Xarabank, Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning Aaron Farrugia reiterated future plans for the Marsa Clinical Waste Incinerator to move to the developing EcoHive and highlighted its potential benefits.

Għalina, u għad-dinja tagħna 🌎Aktar minn 500KG ta’ skart miġbur ✅Carmelo Abela

Posted by Aaron Farrugia on Thursday, 22 April 2021

The Minister stated that, with the half a billion euro investment, the Maltese community will not only benefit from better waste management but will also develop its ‘waste to resources’ policy and protect Maltese land.

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Photo Source: TVM / gov.mt