Malta and Balearics may join UK’s green travel list

Jun 23 2021

Malta, along with the Balearic Islands, could soon be added to the quarantine-free holiday destination list as part of a limited update to the UK’s green travel list. The update is set to take place on Thursday, with Malta being the only conventional holiday hotspot to turn green according to The Times newspaper. A government source however added that the Balearics have a ‘real possibility’ of joining. This depends on a last-minute decision by ministers, with the potential move being a ‘game changing’ moment for the struggling travel industry.

The Spanish archipelago is visited by more than five million Britons every year as it includes Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza. The green-light was speculated to be given in early June for Malta, but no new destinations were added, with Portugal moving to the amber list. Media minister John Whittingdale said he hoped the government would place more countries on the green list, but still urged people to holiday in Britain instead of jetting off abroad.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: Simply Business

Britons may have to take COVID-19 jabs for the next 10 years

Jun 23 2021

Head of NHS Providers Chris Hopson said that vaccine top-ups may be a thing for an entire decade as health chief Matt Hancock started to prepare plans for an autumn booster shot. Hopson warned that the country needs to move away from being ‘reactionary’ to COVID-19 and start planning ahead. He said that COVID-19 vaccines are going to be needed on annual basis for ‘five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10 years.’

The government was also called on to give the health service time to plot out potential COVID-19 vaccine booster campaigns. The campaigns need to become ‘business as usual’ instead of ‘emergency responses’. The Health Secretary also said that officials were waiting on government funded trials into whether mixing different jab gives better protection.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: France 24

WWII war shelter discovered in Sliema Annunciation Square

Jun 23 2021

Work on Sliema’s Annunciation Square have unearthed entrances to an air-raid shelter. An inspection team from the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage will decide on how to preserve the shelter. Sliema mayor Anthony Chircop stated that the council was insisting that the shelter will be surveyed to ensure it remains safely intact, along with preservation as part of the country’s heritage.

The council would not however be asking for the subterranean chamber to be opened up for the public. A decision on how to best close it off after certifying its soundness would have to be taken. Another shelter in Dingli Circus is already in the care of the local council, but it is riddled with problems such as flooding.

The mayor said that what was important was that the shelter was surveyed to determine whether the structure could support whatever happened above it on the ground. Architect Edward Said has also asked for a proper land and archeological survey of the underground structure. He maintains that the entrance should be left accessible rather than closed off, as this would render it forgettable.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: Times of Malta

Man arrested for possessing €100,000 worth of cocaine

Jun 23 2021

The Anti-Drug Squad, assisted by Rapid Intervention Unit officers, arrested a 32-year-old man from Valletta for drug trafficking. After days of surveillance, police stopped a car in Triq Borg, Birkirkara yesterday and engaged in a search of the vehicle. Around 1.8kg of a white substance as well as an unspecified amount of cash was discovered.

The street value of the drug, allegedly cocaine, was deemed to reach up to €100,000. Magistrate Dr Natasha Galea Sciberras LL.D was informed of the case and opened an inquiry. The man is expected to be taken to court today at around 14:15 as the police investigation continues.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: Malta Police Force Communications