Cruise-liner stopped from entering Malta due to COVID outbreak

Jan 6 2022

At least 100 positive cases of COVID-19 among 4,800 passengers of a cruise-liner have prevented the ship form entering Maltese docks.

The MSC Grandiosa has confirmed that at least 100 positive cases are present on the ship. All MSC Cruises crew members and passengers over the age of 12 are required to be fully vaccinated.

All travellers aged 2 and over must submit a pre-departure negative test. It has also been reported that all Maltese passengers on board tested negative for COVID-19.

The ship will continue it’s voyage to Palma de Mallorca, where all passengers will be tested and all those who test negative allowed to return by plane. All positive passengers have been immediately isolated in cabins with balconies.

A statement by MSC Cruises said that in line with protocol, they organise transportation back home, ‘all done in alignment with the relevant health and other authorities.’ Positive passengers will be returned back home to the expense of the cruise-liner.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: MSC FB

Majority of COVID patients in hospital admitted for other reasons

Jan 6 2022

Superintendent for Public Health Charmaine Gauci revealed on Thursday that the majority of patients in hospital with COVID-19 were admitted for other reasons.

The patients allegedly only tested positive for the virus during routine tests, the public health chief told Times of Malta on the ‘Ask Charmaine’ segment.

The number of patients with COVID complications being admitted to hospital is actually decreasing, with Gauci saying that this is a positive thing because it means the booster is having an effect.

According to data from the health ministry, the figure for hospitalisations rose from 22 patients on December 6 to 114 patients on January 6th. This is a 400% increase in a month, with many people admitted to hospital undergoing routine tests and some turning out positive.

The superintendent did not reveal what percentage of those in hospital with COVID are there for virus-related complications. It is also not clear how many of those patients, admitted for other illnesses, experienced deterioration in their condition due to the virus.

Health authorities globally, Malta included, have been shifting their focus on hospitalisations instead of daily cases. The vaccination rollout, which now includes children, is contributing to this refocusing.

#MaltaDaily

Malta Carnival 2022 will be celebrated with a twist!

Jan 6 2022

Festivals Malta officially announced that it will be presenting an alternative cultural program for the 2022 edition of the beloved Malta Carnival.

The prepared program will continue to celebrate our country’s artistic expression as well as its cultural tradition. It will also be safeguarding the health of the participants involved and all the general public wishing to attend the celebration given the COVID-19 pandemic.

A cultural programs will be set up in accordance with the protocols issued by the public health authorities. This will include an exhibition of costumes and Carnival related photography, an interpretation of the Qarċilla in Spazju Kreattiv, as well as various carnivalesque installations throughout Malta’s capital city Valletta.

Festivals Malta promises more information to come in the coming days, but it looks as if the beloved time of the year will be given its rightful slot whilst also managing the epidemiological situation.

More info out soon!

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: Festivals Malta Communications

Sicily welcoming Maltese tourists for all the right reasons!

Jan 6 2022

Maltese tourists in Sicily have hit the headlines on Sicilian media and for all the right reasons.

It was reported that over 2000 passengers disembarked at Pozzallo from the two Virtu Ferries catamarans, M/V Saint John Paul II and M/V Jean de la Valette, for the Black Friday weekend to make their way to the various shopping centres and weekend markets.

4,500 other passengers and 1,300 vehicles made it to Pozzallo over the Christmas and New Year Period. Shopping was not the main reason for visiting Sicily, Catania Today pointed out. Many travellers were searching for a relaxing environment and period of time which the Sicilians were ‘obviously flattered to share with the Maltese.’

Malta’s rollout of COVID vaccination also received a lot of praise, with the newspaper pointing out that all passengers arriving on Virtu Ferries vessels carry a vaccination certificate, often with a booster shot and a negative Rapid Test.

Social distancing was observed both on board of Virtu vessels, during check-in, embarkation and disembarkation. VIrtu’s policy to Keep Travel Simple received positive praise as did the family-oriented departure times.

‘Maltese visitors are clearly very welcome and are being looked upon very favourably by the Sicilian tourist industry, with hotels and restaurants taking an increased interest in the Maltese market. This is particularly the case in the Provinces of Ragusa, Catania and Syracuse.’

With COVID still a worldwide phenomenon, people are increasingly avoiding family skiing holidays in Northern Europe whilst the slopes of Etna prove to be an interesting alternative this winter. International freight costs have also soared and Maltese commercial enterprises are increasingly looking to Sicily for merchandise of every description – an added bonus for Sicilian entrepreneurs.

‘Virtu are positively contributing to this increase in trade between the two islands by operating two vessels on a daily schedule with multiple trips per week and at the same time keeping freight rates at pre-COVID levels, against the international trend. Maltese exporters are also benefiting from this freight cost stability.’

‘For more reasons than one, Malta and the Maltese are welcome in Sicily. Equally so Sicily and our Sicilian neighbours, with whom we continue to share so much, are most welcome in Malta. Virtu Ferries have in the meantime announced very attractive offers for January and February and an Easter schedule with all this in mind.’

#MaltaDaily