Covid-19 Was Declared A Global Pandemic 4 Years Ago

Mar 12 2024

March 11, 2024, marks the somber anniversary of four years since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, as a pandemic.

Originating in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, the virus rapidly spread globally, leading to millions of infections and fatalities.

From January 2020, when the WHO declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), to March 2020, when it was officially categorized as a pandemic, countries worldwide grappled with rising cases and deaths.

Measures such as national lockdowns, emergency declarations, and vaccination campaigns became commonplace responses.

Despite progress, the emergence of variants like Delta and Omicron posed new challenges. However, the approval of vaccines and treatments provided hope for containment and recovery.

Speaking to MaltaDaily, Superintendent for Public Health Charmaine Gauci revealed that Malta registered a total of 121,410 COVID-19 cases in four years from the day the first case was registered.

Over 2 million – 2,168,789 – tests were carried out and over 1.5 million – 1,408,781 vaccines were administered.

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Ongoing Discussions For Restoration On Floriana St Publius Church

Mar 12 2024

Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo took to social media to announce that discussions are currently ongoing for new restoration and lighting works on Floriana’s St Publius Church.

More details are set to be revealed in the coming weeks, the Minister explained on social media.

The Saint Publius Parish Church is a Roman Catholic Parish church constructed at several stages between the 18th and 20th centuries.

The very first stone of the church was laid down on the 2nd of August 1733 by Bishop Paul Alpheran de Bussan.

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Malta International Fireworks Festival Returns This April

Mar 12 2024

Between April 20th and 30th, the Malta International Fireworks Festival will once again grace the skies.

This cultural extravaganza promises to light up the Maltese and Gozitan nights with dazzling pyrotechnic displays, adding to the richness of local festivities. Scheduled events include fireworks spectacles in Valletta, Marsaxlokk, Nadur, Mellieha, with a grand finale at the Grand Harbor on the month’s final day.

These details were announced during a press conference by Tourism and Consumer Protection Minister Clayton Bartolo and Malta Tourism Authority CEO Carlo Micallef.

Minister Bartolo stressed the festival’s significance to both locals and visitors, emphasizing its role in showcasing Malta and Gozo’s unique offerings. “The Fireworks Festival isn’t just for tourists; it’s a celebration for Maltese and Gozitan families, highlighting our diverse attractions,” Bartolo added.

MTA CEO Carlo Micallef highlighted the festival’s international promotion, aiming to attract specific tourist groups to Malta. “This event diversifies Malta’s tourism profile, especially during the quieter summer months,” Micallef concluded.

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Malta Airport Awarded Best In Europe For 6th Consecutive Year

Mar 12 2024

Malta International Airport has maintained its position among Europe’s best for service quality for the sixth consecutive year, with a satisfaction score of 4.38 in 2023.

Despite record passenger volumes and ongoing infrastructure projects, CEO Alan Borg commended the team’s dedication to ensuring a positive guest experience.

Guests expressed confidence in the airport, with above-average ratings across 34 key performance indicators, spanning cleanliness, staff courtesy, and ease of navigation.

This recognition stems from the Airport Service Quality survey, completed by travelers globally. In February 2024, the airport saw a 25.1% increase in passenger traffic compared to the previous year, alongside growth in aircraft movements and seat capacity.

Italy remains the top market, followed by the UK, Germany, Poland, and Spain. The airport has released its summer flight schedule, introducing direct routes to Belfast, Edinburgh, Norwich, Tallinn, and Basel, with increased frequencies to France, Italy, and the UK.

Malta International Airport continues to prioritize guest satisfaction amidst significant growth and expansion efforts.

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