Ian Borg asks Ukrainian president Zelenskyy to address Maltese parliament

Apr 18 2022

Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg has revealed that, in talks with his Ukrainian ministerial counter-part, he invited President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to address the Maltese parliament.

The Minister revealed that he has spoken with Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who went on to say that Ukraine is grateful for Malta and the aid it has given the war-torn country.

The humanitarian aid offered by Malta was made up of medical interventions, educational aid as well as giving support to the country’s refugees. Borg told the Minister that Malta is completely on board with the EU sanctions imposed on Russia.

Borg unveiled that the Ukrainian Minister understood perfectly why Malta has not yet driven away Russian diplomats, due to Malta’s tiny embassy in Moscow. Malta only has two personnel in Russia’s capital.

In his concluding remarks, Borg said that he asked Kuleba to consider getting Zelenskyy to address the Maltese parliament once it opens. Kuleba has appreciated the invitation and will go on to recommend it take place.

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Pharmacies not permitted to sell self-testing COVID kits as of yet

Apr 18 2022

Despite Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne announcing around 10 days ago that a COVID self-testing kit system will be introduced, pharmacies have been ordered not to sell the kits as of yet.

This is due to the authorities necessitating that the list of brands of the kits be approved by the Medicines Authority (MMA)

This was revealed by sources close to news portal Newsbook, revealing that pharmacies will be meeting with the medicines authority on Monday to discuss the situation. Fearne had announced the news on 4th April, before which the kits were deemed illegal.

The influx of COVID infections meant that many people were booking tests, leading to delays and a break down of the testing system. Chief of the MMA Anthony Serracino Inglott told Times of Malta said that around 10 brands of the kits were brought up for approval.

However, none of these are approved before their brands are properly reviewed. These products were being sold illegally before the measure to make them legal was introduced.

Prior to this, people found guilty of using self-testing kits illegally could face a fine of no less than €12,000 but no more than €120,000 as well as a prison sentence of no more than two years.

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Strong winds to persist as Malta issues weather warnings

Apr 18 2022

It seems as though the strong winds which battered the Maltese islands over the Good Friday and Easter weekend will persist.

The meteorological office has in fact issued warnings due to strong north-west winds which are being forecasted for the entirety of today. The winds are expected to go up to force five and six, dropping to four by the evening.

The wind will continue to calm down as the week progresses, after it managed to lead to some cancellations of Good Friday processions. Thursday is expected to bring isolated showers before making way for a sunny weekend.

Temperatures are set to feel like 18 degrees Celsius for today and tomorrow but will go up to 22 degrees Celsius as of Wednesday. This comes after last month was recorded to be one of the coldest March months since 1987.

The meteorological office and other authorities released a yellow warning which will remain applicable for today. This means that should be careful when venturing outside and that they should also expect delays when it comes to things such as flights or events.

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Malta gears up for summer tourism with first travel agents academy

Apr 18 2022

Malta’s Tourism Authority (MTA) has officially organised the first ever academy which welcomed no less than 30 travel agents from the UK and Ireland.

The agents were given the opportunity to participate in several activities related to gastronomy, adventure, history and luxury as they are offered in the Maltese islands. Held between the 1st and 4th of April, the agents resided in the Marriott Hotel & Spa, a five star hotel in St Julian’s.

The authority stated that the travel agents had the chance to experience unique workshops and activities, such as visiting the Zafrana Boutique Winery, the Ħaġar Qim and Imnajdra Temples as well as other iconic landmarks in Valletta.

This comes as Malta continues to gear up for a massive summer comeback after the COVID-19 pandemic rendered such services struggling to cope with the crisis. This comes as Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo announces that 80% of pre-pandemic travel routes have been recovered as health measures continue to ease.

The Minister had also revealed that four-star Maltese hotels during the Easter period had a 90% rate of occupancy whereas five story hotels had an 80% expected rate.

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Photo Source: TVM News, Clayton Bartolo FB