English Language Teaching industry aiming for 1st June reopening in new statement

Apr 27 2021

The Federation of English language Teaching Organisations Malta (FELTOM) have issued a statement in the absence of formal communication from the government. Confirming over 10,700 student arrivals in Malta, the ELT industry stated that if the sector is not allowed to open all these arrivals will be lost, essentially dooming the industry.

The statement specifies how the industry has been compliant and respectful with the government measures for the past fourteen months. The statement adds that the industry was contributing ‘in excess of €200 million to the Maltese economy’ up to 2019. The statement also discloses that 2000 ELT students currently studying in Malta ‘who booked a full immersion course and FELTOM fails to understand why, injustice continues to be shown to them by still being restricted to online tuition.’

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: FELTOM FB, Tima Miroshnichenko

Minister faces backlash following comments about local artists’ IQ

948 fines due to COVID-19 health restriction breaches

Apr 27 2021

A total of 948 fines were handed out by authorities for health restriction breaches. Of these 948, 634 were given to people who were in public places without masks. 275 people were found in groups larger than 2.

The amount of people in private residences measure was also breached by 31 individuals, along with establishments going against the health measures.

Another 7 people were found to be breaching their mandatory quarantine. As measures start to ease, the authorities are still remaining vigilant so as to ensure the virus is being mitigated and the restrictions adhered to.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: Malta Police Force FB

EU launches legal action against AstraZeneca

Apr 27 2021

After the company AstraZeneca allegedly failed to respect the contract with the EU bloc and did not deliver the required amount of vaccines, the EU has launched legal action against the pharmaceutical company. EU spokesman Stefan De Keersmaecker stated that ‘the commission has started last Friday a legal action against the company AstraZeneca on the basis of breaches of the advanced purchase agreement.’

The reason for legal action was that the company was not in a ‘position to come up with a reliable strategy to ensure a timely delivery of doses’. The pharmaceutical giant has stated that it regrets the decision to take legal action and that it will be defending itself strongly in court. AstraZeneca has been one of the most important vaccine providers, but the slow deliveries have frustrated many EU countries as the battle against COVID-19 continues.

#MaltaDaily