Here are the COVID measures coming into effect today

Jan 17 2022

The day new COVID-19 health restrictions come into effect is here – and we have you covered with all the details. As of today, Monday 17th January 2022, establishments will need a valid certificate – jabbed with the booster shot – required for entry.

This concerns everything from bars, clubs, restaurants, snack bars, cinemas, theatres, casinos, bingo halls or gaming parlours, sports events, gyms or fitness centres, public swimming pools, spas and saunas, organised mass events and exhibitions.

A €500 fine per breach will be issued to any establishment or event organiser who is caught not following the new regulations. Within the establishments, a number of measures are also in effect. Masks are to be worn at all times and can only be removed when seated for eating and drinking.

Staff working in direct contact with patrons need to be vaccinated, but have an exemption period of up to the 1st of February 2022. Staff not in direct contact with customers can be exempted from providing certification at the workplace.

2m distancing between tables in restaurants and bars have been minimised to whatever minimum standards the establishment has licensed.

Mask wearing is now no longer necessary for fully vaccinated people in groups no larger than 2. A vaccine certificate is considered valid for three months from the second dose or nine months from the booster.

An exemption is also in place for people who have recovered from COVID and therefore were unable to get their jab.

Such people can enter establishments if they provide proof of valid vaccine certification showing they received the primary two doses (or single for J&J) along with a positive COVID-19 test result dated no more than 6 weeks prior.

Kids aged between 12 and 17 who are currently unable to get the booster only need to show the two-dose certificate.

Those under 12 are exempted from showing any certificate. Others who had a reaction to the vaccine and have medical proof they cannot receive the booster, or women who are up to three months pregnant are exempted.

#MaltaDaily

#BringJimmyBack – XFactor outrage after Jimmy Tyrrell eliminated

Jan 17 2022

As the live shows for XFactor Malta season 3 kicked off, many expressed considerable outrage after Shauna and Jimmy Tyrrell were eliminated.

With the #BringJimmyBack making social media rounds, many people took to social media to show their disagreement with the elimination of the local Irish singer.

Some even directed their disagreement towards judge and Winter Moods singer Ivan Grech, blaming him for making a poor decision and not having the courage to make such a difficult choice.

‘Ivan… you had 1 job tonight… first you chose the worst possible song for Shauna then sending Jimmy home… what a farce’ one said.

Another touted a #IvanOut hashtag, stating that ‘the sing-off showed clearly who was the better candidate […] Absolutely ridiculous. […] Ivan has no place being a judge’ said the comment.

Others simply publicly showed their support for Tyrrell, extremely gutted at the elimination. ‘Jimmy is INSANELY TALENTED! PURE RAW’ one said.

Bringing the vote to a gridlock when asked to vote between group Beyond and Tyrrell, the voting went to the audience. This resulted in Beyond moving to the next round and Tyrrell leaving the competition after what seemed to be a very promising journey on X-Factor.

#MaltaDaily

Parliament to debate rules for general election during pandemic today

Jan 17 2022

Parliament is set to debate new rules for a COVID-19 general election, with the second reading of a series of amendments to the General Elections Act topping the agenda of today’s sitting.

With a bill seeking to regulate voting for persons suffering from a notifiable disease or in mandatory quarantine, Times of Malta earlier this month revealed that drive-through polling booths are being considered.

This would allow people who test positive for COVID to vote in the general election. This was reportedly taken on board by government.

The detail however does not go into that detail, stating that the Superintendent of Public Health will hand a list of people in quarantine to the Electoral Commission. The commission would then, in consultation with the superintendent, designate the date and place where such people could vote.

With such voting possibly to take place days before actual polling day, protocols for managed mass meetings have also been finalised. These protocols have been in the work since last year, with chief electoral commissioner Joe Camilleri working on these alongside political party representatives and Charmaine Gauci.

Authorities are also aiming to restrict the number of people allowed into the counting hall, with electronic counting possibly helping the entire situation.

#MaltaDaily

Stop giving your energy to… | by Ed’s Common Sense

Jan 17 2022

Many times, we fall victim to the excessive strain of carrying the weight of unnecessary problems on our shoulders. Which problems contribute to increased stress and psychological trauma and ultimately, can be avoided. This week, clinical psychologist and psychotherapist Dr. Edward Curmi is giving us a list of perceived ‘problems’ we need to stop giving our energy to.

Dr. Edward Curmi is also the author of 2 self-help books titled Ed’s Common Sense.