MP vaccination denied by Abela and Grech

Mar 9 2021

After Speaker of the House Anglu Farrugia suggested to Deputy Prime Minister that MPs should be administered the COVID-19 vaccines to avoid work disruption, both Prime Minister Robert Abela and Opposition leader Bernard Grech shot down the request on Monday evening. Farrugia stated that this would be a way to remove any hinderances upon parliamentary work.

Robert Abela promptly denied the request, claiming that those in need of the vaccine are to be given the jab first. Bernard Grech also followed suite and added that he would not support a programme designed ‘to attract votes’. The ruling follows a heated exchange which occurred last week after Health Minister Chris Fearne pointed out that some MPs from the Opposition had asked to skip ahead in the vaccination queue.

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Malta in global top 10 in COVID-19 cases per capita

Mar 9 2021

Monday saw Malta recorded as sixth highest country with number of positive COVID-19 cases per capita in the world. The rankings came from the US Centre for Disease Control (CDC). Malta reported a total of 1,997 cases over last week, making it 433.3 per 100,000 of the population. The list was topped by Caribbean island Saint Barthelemy with its population of 10,000.

Malta ranked higher than Lebanon, Hungary and Serbia. Figures were calculated from data submitted to WHO, as Malta had the 21st highest number of COVID-19 related deaths in the last seven day. In death rankings, Malta placed just below the US. New measures were thus implemented as Malta continues to battle the pandemic with vaccine roll-outs and restrictions.

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Education staff outcry for COVID-19 vaccinations timeline

Mar 9 2021

Education staff are concerned as they have not yet received appointments for vaccination. Schools are thus demanding a clear plan on rolling out vaccinations for the ‘forgotten’ teachers which have not yet revived their jabs. Director of Educational Mission Stephen Cachia has stated that De La Salle College has nearly 300 staff member which have not received appointments.

The unnecessary stress and tension is being caused mainly due to the teacher’s direct contact with students. Most church and independent schools have also not yet received invitations for vaccination. The tension seems to heighten due to the fact that schools will remain open instead of shifting to an online learning system and thus contact with other staff and students will be necessary.

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China introduces virus passports

Mar 9 2021

China has just launched virus passports as part of its health certificate programme. Domestic travellers now use digital certificates which show a user’s vaccination status and the test results. Available on a Chinese social media platform WeChat which was launched on Monday, the certificates are being implemented to ease the pressure on the economy and travel that the pandemic is creating.

The certificates are not yet mandatory and are available only by Chinese citizens. However, this is a big step towards safe travelling during the pandemic, with the USA and Britain considering implementing similar permits. Some citizens however have raised concerns over privacy concerns due to the app’s location tracking.

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