Companies consider weekly swab tests for unvaccinated workers

Jul 20 2021

Dozens of Maltese companies are considering the option of requiring unvaccinated employees to undergo weekly COVID-19 tests. According to the Malta Employer’s Association (MEA), employers have been contacting the association for guidance on how to operate the weekly tests and thus encourage the workers to get the jab. This follows APS Bank’s controversial decision to require employees to get vaccinated or undergo weekly PCR tests every Friday or Saturday. Any office hours used would be deducted from a staff member’s vacation leave.

Joseph Farrugia stated that APS was not alone in considering this, confirming the ability of companies to implement such rules. He described the weekly tests as not punishments on individual employees but risk minimisation. ‘The employer and employees all have the right to know the health risks to which they are exposed.’ Since vaccination is a personal choice, employers are within their rights to ask employees to use vacation leave if test appointment fell within work hours, stated Farrugia.

Times of Malta was informed by an employment specialist that requiring staff to be fully vaccinated would be legal if a needs assessment finds public health is seriously a threat. In the case of APS however, they doubted the legality of asking employees to cut into their vacation leave if the test fell within office hours.

APS Bank CEO Marcel Cassar stated that the bank had the duty to continue protecting the health of its workforce of around 550 employees. He stated that the particular situation calls for maturity and responsibility on the part of everyone.

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Photo Source: EndocrineWeb

Roberto Mancini’s humility shows in viral queue photo

Jul 20 2021

The Italian football manager and coach who led his country to victory at the Euro 2020, Roberto Mancini, has been snapshotted in a now viral humble photo. The photograph shows Mancini queuing in line in front of his local delicatessen and butcher shop La Caciotta in the province of Ancona. Despite being the leader of the winning team, the coach expects absolutely no special treatment, patiently waiting in line for his turn as any other human being.

The story does not stop there however. Several news outlets have reported that Mancini’s mother Marianna has recently undergone surgery in her knees. Her son took it upon himself to care for her and do all the shopping, cleaning and chores required to allow his dear mother some rest. The photo captures exactly how such great victories do not have to inflate anyone’s ego, reminding us that at the end of the day, we are all human beings capable of love and care.

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Photo Source: Manchester Evening News, Open

Everton player arrested over alleged child sex offences

Jul 20 2021

A first-team member of Everton’s squad has been suspended as he is being subject to inquiries by authorities over alleged child sex offences. The Premier League club confirmed the news, but no details were revealed regarding the player in question or any of the charges involved. The Premier League confirmed their assistance to the authorities in investigating the case.

Greater Manchester Police reportedly arrested the player earlier this month, confirming the arrest of a 31-year-old man on suspicion of child sex offences in a statement issued under the arrest. The police have yet to confirm whether the person was a player but the accused has been released on bail ‘pending enquiries.’

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Photo Source: Getty Images

Brits to require full vaccination to enter nightclubs from September

Jul 20 2021

The UK government has announced that people attending nightclubs and other venues where large crowds convene will need to be fully vaccinated from the end of September. With latest statistics indicating that 35% of 18 to 30-year-olds have not had their first jab, this new measure will require owners of nightclubs and other venues to ask for proof of vaccination. This announcement was made on the day nightclubs in England were allowed to reopen after a 16 month closure.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated that he does not want to close nightclubs like other countries have. This, however, means that nightclubs must do the socially responsible thing, with the government having the right to mandate certification at any point to reduce spikes in transmission. The UK saw 39,950 cases recorded on Monday, along with 19 deaths. Due to nightclubs being possible super spreaders of the virus, the new restriction is aimed at mitigating spread, hospitalisation and death eve more.

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Photo Source: Reuters, Edoardo Tommasini