€600,000 extension for CPD headquarters, Xemxija and Hal Far stations

Mar 17 2021

With a €600,000 investment, the Civil Protection Department (CPD) is extending two main stations, as well as its Kandja headquarters. Set to be completed next year, the project will extend the Hal Far and Xemxija stations. Green-lit 10 moths after CPD complained it was not allowed to carry out such work through simple notification orders unlike other companies, the project was given the go ahead.

Director Emanuel Psaila spoke on Wednesday to a news conference, stating that last May he had expressed concerns with the prime minister about unequal treatment. The CPD has seen its workload increase with provision of COVID-19 related services. It currently employs 250 people. Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said the government ensured best possible equipment and facilities for CPD and investment in training personnel.

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Has TikTok gone too far? Concerns rise as explicit videos increase online?

Mar 17 2021

Videos have surfaced online of unknown Maltese individuals flaunting banknotes of cash allegedly made off of selling cannabis on TikTok as well as a video of what seems to be a cannabis plant laying around.

As the social media platform continues to grow, concerns continue to rise regarding the rapidly-increasing rate of explicit content on the platform. One may argue that the platform has gone too far and the lack of mediation of what content is being posted makes it a dangerous platform, especially when one takes into consideration the amount of youths that make us of TikTok.

What are your thoughts on the content shared on TikTok? Do you think that there needs to be increased mediation of the content being posted?

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EU releases vaccine pass plan for travel

Mar 17 2021

The EU has released its plan for the implementation of ‘Digital Green Certificate’ travel pass, facilitating travel around Europe. Released on Wednesday, the new scheme is the EU’s tool by which it hopes to allow vaccinated individuals to travel again. This means travellers can also skip pandemic-related travel restrictions, including testing and self-isolation. The certificate will contain three key elements: vaccination certificates stating the brand of vaccine used, test certificates and medical certificates for people who had and recovered from COVID-19 in the last 180 days.

The plan also explains that those who are not vaccinated must be ‘able to continue to exercise their fundamental right of free movement, where necessary subject to limitations such as mandatory testing and quarantine/self-isolation.’ Any personal data required by the plan is also only allowed to the relevant authorities, ensuring data protection.

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New COVID-19 sport guidelines now allow individual activities under strict measures

Mar 17 2021

Public Health authorities have released new guidelines for sport activities as practiced by individuals. All activities that are not organised events can occur as long as mitigation measures are adhered to. According to the new guidelines, Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci gives permission for sport and physical activities that are not organised events to occur, as well as maintaining the strict four people measure.

Physical contact is also prohibited, as well as enforcing the mask wearing measure except for high intensity physical activity and ban any form of competition. Following is a list of activities that have been permitted.

Permitted sports:

Walking and Power Walking
Jogging, running and athletic activity
Fitness and dance sessions (with 2m social distancing)
Cycling
Climbing
Horse riding
Golf
Tennis/Padel
Shooting
Swimming
Sailing on individual dinghies
Archery
Fishing
Gymnastics
Motor Sport
Model aircrafts
Scuba diving
Skateboarding
Surfing
Weightlifting

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