€1.6 million investment to regenerate Msida promenade announced

€1.6 investment to regenerate Msida promenade announced

Oct 7 2021

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Ian Borg announced today that a €1.6 million investment plan will see Msida promenade regenerated. The promenade which runs along Msida and Pieta will receive cycle lanes and upgraded street furniture, revealed the Minister during a press conference on Thursday.

The Minister was joined by the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation (GHRC), and he explained how this is a great open space which requires an upgrade. For the first phase of the transformation, the promenade will be widened without taking away any parking spaces. The road adjacent to the promenade will also not be widened in the process.

This project will complement similar works which have already occurred in Isla, Kalkara and Marsaxlokk. On their part, GHRC’s CEO Gino Cauchi stated that the biggest hurdle of the project was finding the right balance between pavement widening and cycling lane additions. Cauchi said that the regeneration will modernise the area, with Msida mayor welcoming the ‘long awaited’ project.

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Photo Source: Ian Borg FB

Meet Kass Mallia, Volt’s trans politician contesting the general election

Malta gets its first trans politician contesting a general election

Oct 7 2021

Volt, the new political party, has just announced that Thomas ‘Kass’ Mallia will be the it’s party’s trans woman contesting a general election in Malta. Mallia is a freelance writer from Mosta and will be contesting on the 9th and 11th districts. After PN candidate Angela Coleiro dropped out of the political race, Mallia will be entering the political race, looking to bring democracy, innovation and sustainability should she be elected. Alex Mangion, alongside the now resigned Coleiro, was Malta’s first trans politician.

Speaking through political party Volt, Mallia said that throughout all her life she was a problem solver. ‘In all facets of life, I always look to uncover problems and arrive at solutions to the best of my ability’ she said. ‘Volt Malta represents a new approach towards politics and an optimistic yet pragmatic approach towards tackling this country’s pressing issues.’ This is a another historic moment for Malta as the island makes room to include and hear the voices of LGBTIQ+ members. We look forward to seeing what Kass will be bringing to the political table!

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Photo Source: Thomas “Kass” Mallia FB

Masks in school could be removed after first term

Oct 7 2021

Addressing a press conference, Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne announced that data will be acquired as the first school term progresses to check on the epidemiological situation. As of yet, kids are still required to use masks but the data will be analysed to check whether masks could be removed after the first term ends. Whilst positive cases still require the child and the parents to quarantine for 14 days, the direct contacts of the positive case who have been fully vaccinated may quarantine for 7 days instead of a full two-weeks.

In terms of certificates, Fearne announced that, starting today, a vaccine certificate will be issued to those people who received their first jab in a EU country or the UK and then received their second jab in Malta. This changes today as, upon application, this certificate will be given to these individuals. This also means that these people will be able to access all the activities which require full vaccination certification as the health authorities were not in a position to do so before today.

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Booster doses for teachers, pharmacists and carers by first week of December

Oct 7 2021

Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne announced during a press conference that in the first week of December, the booster vaccine dose for COVID-19 will be offered to health care workers, pharmacists, carers and teachers in schools. This comes as the booster rollout continues for immunocompromised and elderly patients in homes. The booster has prevented further infection and death in these areas and thus the booster rollout will help mitigate spread further.

The Health Minister highlighted how this booster rollout will also help mitigate the spread of the seasonal influenza virus which could be potentially made worse because of COVID-19 in schools. As of yesterday, around 835,000 doses of the vaccine have been administered, with 20,000 of these being booster doses. The epidemiological case around the globe is not as well defended against the pandemic, highlighted the minister, with Malta’s successful vaccine rollout contributing to the easing of restrictions and a gradual return to normalcy.

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