Francesco Rugeri offers aid to Italian youth quarantined in Malta

Jul 12 2021

Marsa FC’s newest president and entrepreneur Francesco Rugeri has taken it upon himself to offer aid to Italian students who are currently residing in quarantine in Malta. Rugeri, who also runs a chain of coffee shops, joined forces with a group of other Italians who offered to deliver food and drink to the youth currently stuck in quarantine in a Maltese hotel.

After being obliged to quarantine due to their friends testing positive for COVID-19, Rugeri was contacted by the parents of some of the students. The guardians expressed their concerns and worries in regards to their children, who were facing several difficulties. Rugeri took the opportunity to help the group of youth, making their stay in Malta under such circumstances easier until they are able to return home.

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Photo Source: Francesco Evbuilding

Malta reduced the rate of students leaving school early by half

Jul 12 2021

According to analysis done by Malta’s Central Bank, the rate of students who leave early from school has been reduced by half. This took place over an extended period of 15 years, that is between 2005 and 2020. Those who do leave school earlier than others were reported to find it difficult to find employment due to a lack of qualifications. These students still find work, but their employment is often effected according to the level of education reached. Despite this, the analysis showed how those who leave school early may still possess several skills which are useful on the workplace.

The analysis also revealed how the gross hourly earning for those with a tertiary education as 40% higher than those who reached an intermediate education and 65% higher than those with just a basic level of education. Between 2005 and 2020, an increase of 10.3% to 28.0% of students having tertiary education was noted. Around 7 out of 10 people who left education early were employed in 2020, making it the highest rate of employment for people of similar levels of education in the EU.

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Photo Source: Oleg Magni

Third vaccine jab for Israel’s for most vulnerable amidst Delta surge

Jul 12 2021

Israel began administering a third shot of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to patients with compromised immune systems. With cases rising in the country, those eligible for a third shot include those who have had heart, lung and kidney transplants as well as cancer patients. The health ministry stated that patients with immunosuppression do not develop the adequate antibody response after the normal two doses. The decision was further supported given the rising daily infection tally.

Israel had one of the fastest rollouts of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines in the world, succeeding in bringing daily cases down to single digits just last month. The Delta variant changed everything, as Israel had already fully vaccinated 85% of its adult population and restoring indoor dining and allowing large gatherings. The variant led to huge surges, prompting the booster dose to be administered.

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Photo Source: CNBC

EU expresses concern over Malta’s ‘discriminatory’ ban on unvaccinated travellers

Jul 12 2021

Concern was expressed by the European Commission over Malta’s recent decision to ban travellers who have not yet been fully vaccinated and in possession of certificates from entering the country. Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand stated in a press briefing earlier today how that despite being true member states are allowed to implement restrictions to protect public health, any measure which restricts freedom of movement needs to be proportionate and non-discriminatory.

He added how a vaccination certificate ‘cannot be a precondition for the exercise of free movement, this is one of the main principles of the EU Digital COVID-19 certificate regulation.’ These latest measures are feared as being discriminatory against people who are not fully vaccinated. Contact has been made with Malta, Wigand stated, asking for explanation of the measures. The issue will be raised in a member states coordination meeting.

Prime Minister Robert Abela described the measures as tough but necessary since Malta’s active cases shot up from 28 to over 600 in just two weeks. The measures in place restrict travel to only those with a recognised vaccine certificate as of Wednesday 14th.

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Photo Source: ANSA.it, Robert Abela FB