Government will not introduce new taxes in upcoming budget

Jul 24 2021

Prime Minister Robert Abela announced on Friday that the government will not introduce any new taxes in the upcoming Budget. Speaking at the Labour Party’s annual general conference, Abela stated that the Budget document started being drafted just a few days ago by the party whilst also declaring that no tax increases will be made. The Prime Minister emphasised the point that all taxes must be collected in order to acquire an economic and social developmental balance.

Strengthening wages and giving taxpayers what they deserve will be the focal point of the budget, the Prime Minister stated. Health, education and social expenditure will see increased, but cautionary, spending. Abela stated that where the government didn’t make the best decisions, they humbly adjusted and that they always took responsibility for the decisions taken when handling the pandemic. Despite expert warnings that Malta could lose the lives of thousands and possible 50,000 job losses, the government, Abela stated, rolled up its sleeves immediately and got to work.

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Photo Source: Robert Abela FB

Love Island star Shaughna Phillips rocks Maltese swimsuit brand

Jul 24 2021

It seems as though Maltese swim suit brand Lumija Swim is making international headlines after one of its pieces was rocked by Love Island star Shaughna Phillips. With over 1.5 million followers on Instagram, Phillips became quite an iconic face from the famous reality TV show. Lumija Swims, a brand designed specifically for its love for high fashion, also aims to create swim suits which make women feel comfortable in their own skin, whatever the size.

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A post shared by Shaughna Phillips (@shaughnaphillips)

Lumija Swim’s first collection of swimsuits and bikinis start from a size 6 and go up to a size 20, making enjoying summer accessible to every body type. Their work to break the stereotypical view of what a beautiful body in a swim suit looks like bode very well as their work has turned the eyes of thousands worldwide, prompted by Phillips’ support of the brand. Redefining the word ‘sexy’ and even reducing their carbon foot print, the revolutionary eco-friendly brand Lumija Swim is making international waves!

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A post shared by Lumija 🍋 | Malta Swimwear (@lumijaswim)

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Photo Source: @lumijaswim

Moderna vaccine approved for 12 to 17 year olds by EU medicines agency

Jul 24 2021

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has approved the use of the Moderna vaccine among youths between the ages of 12 and 17. This means Malta can now start using the jab on this age group, with the second injection given four weeks after the first.

Before this new approval, the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine was the only one being used on this same age group. In an ongoing study that was carried out in accordance with Moderna’s paediatric investigation plan, the effects of this jab were researched in a study involving 3,732 children aged 12 to 17.

The study confirmed Moderna producing a comparable antibody response in this age group as it did in the 18 to 25 group. The EMA concluded that the efficacy of the vaccine in this age group was comparable to that in adults, ruling that the safety and efficacy of the jab far outweighed the risks posed by the virus.

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Photo Source: Open Access Government

Fully vaccinated people could get 5 day quarantines instead of 14

Jul 24 2021

In an interview with Health Minister Chris Fearne by Times of Malta, it was revealed that fully vaccinated people who come into contact with COVID-19 positive individuals could be subject to a less than 14-day quarantine. The plan, which is still being worked out by health authorities, could see fully vaccinated people exiting self-isolation after just five days and a negative PCR test result. This was first implemented during a pilot study with Mater Dei Hospital frontlines, but the structure could soon be brought into the public for use.

This follows after the Malta Chamber motioned to ease quarantine rules for fully vaccinated individuals, with chamber president Marisa Xuereb stating that if the vaccines truly break chain of contagion, measures should be eased and made more pragmatic. The Deputy Prime Minister stated that the rules could be eased if the number of COVID-19 patients receiving hospital treatment remains low, and that the public should be informed by the end of the month if this is to be implemented.

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Photo Source: Chris Fearne FB, WHHY