China boosts its child limit to three to combat birth rate decline

May 31 2021

Following census data reporting a steep decline in birth rates, China has allowed couples to have up to three children. The country scrapped the one-child policy in 2016 and replaced it with a two-child limit. This, however, did not have its intended effects as there was no upsurge in births. The law, approved by President Xi Jinping, was met with various reactions, with some claiming that despite now being free to have more than two children, the costs of doing so are far too great.

Around 12 million babies were born in 2020, a significant decrease from the 18 million in 2016. 2020 also saw the lowest number of births since the 1960s. families that violated the one/two child policies faced fines, employment loss and sometimes forced abortions, not to mention a severe gender imbalance with parents preferring boys over girls.

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Photo Source: DW

Air Malta updates passenger requirements for people travelling to Malta

May 31 2021

Air Malta has updated its customer’s travelling requirements starting from the 1st of June onwards. The airline company stated that anyone travelling to Malta should present a completed passenger locator form (PLF) along with a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken no earlier than 72 hours before arrival. These requirements are applicable to all passengers aged 5 and over.

A valid Maltese vaccination certificate with clearly visible QR codes can also be presented instead of a negative PCR result starting 1st June 2021. Boarding will be denied should passengers fail to present required documents. Anyone who arrives in Malta without said documents will be subject to mandatory PCR testing and/or quarantine against a fee.

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Photo Source: AirMalta

An appeal to donate from second round COVID-19 vouchers

May 31 2021

The Sharing is Caring campaign, coordinated by the Sigma Foundation, Forestals and ‘Are You Being Served?’ (RUBS) are making an appeal for people to donate their vouchers and to donate around €2,000 worth to 11 charity organisations each. The three coordinating entities are aiming to collect a total of €20,000 and donate them to those in need.

The Sharing is Caring campaign is appealing to recipients of the vouchers to give them away before receiving them. So far, 60 have done so, with 140 left to go, as the government will be injecting €45 million into the new voucher round from June 7. A total of value of €100 will be distributed to all residents over 16. During the first round of vouchers, the initiative raised €5,000, with Sigma Foundation’s Keith Marshall stating that the initiative was late the first time around.

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Photo Source: Silvio Schemrbi FB

Third wave of COVID-19 may have already started in UK

May 31 2021

Scientists have casted doubt on plans to lift all lockdown health restrictions in England by warning that a third wave of COVID-19 may have already begun. They also stated that rises in COVID-19 hospital admissions could leave the NHS struggling to cope as it tries to clear the huge backlog in non-COVID related cases.

Authorities are grappling with the idea of whether a rise in cases and the spread of the Indian COVID-19 variant could ruin Boris Johnson’s roadmap for reopening. Even though vaccination rollout in UK has been progressing, the new infections are putting health authorities in unsure waters as they cannot predict how they will translate into hospitalisation and deaths.

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Photo Source: Engage Education, Wikipedia