New COVID-19 measures may include higher fines

Mar 3 2021

After discussions with healthcare workers, Chris Fearne has claimed that new measures may be implemented in the coming days. The new measures, as announced during a parliamentary address, may include higher fines for those found breaching restrictions. Discipline, according to the Health Minister, is of utmost importance, with the government making sure that all measures are being followed due to the significant spike in COVID-19 cases.

The vaccine will be the government’s form of mitigating the virus spread as front-liners are receiving the Astrazeneca vaccine, and half of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines reserved with each consignment. Fearne also defended the contact-tracing teams and highlighted the support necessary for the health authorities in these trying times.

#MaltaDaily

Developer proposes five-storey building overlooking Ggantija

Mar 3 2021

Gozo’s Ggantija temples, one of the world’s oldest man-made structures, seems to be getting an overlooking neighbour in the form of a five-storey development. 31 apartments across four floors, a penthouse on the top level and 20 garage spaces are set to be built along Triq il-Parsott in Xaghra.

Objections have flooded in, pointing out that the architectural context of the area would be an ‘eyesore’ and how construction is overtaking the island. The Superintendent of Cultural Heritage is yet to make a statement. In other related news, Gozo has seen a 240% increase in permits since 2013

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Chris Fearne Fearne alleges PN MPs asked him to skip vaccine queues, PN denies

Mar 3 2021

Yesterday in Parliament, Health Minister Chris Fearne stated that Nationalist Party MPs tried to skip the queue for COVID-19 vaccines after PN leader Bernard Grech alleged that the government was allowing citizens to skip queues.

“Yes there were people who asked me to skip the queue for the vaccine, amongst them some of your own PNs” Fearne said sharply as he answered the PN leader.

On Wednesday, the PN parliamentary group “unanimously and categorically” denied said claims and alleged that the Government was using the pandemic to score political points.

#MaltaDaily

2,300 people working illegally in Malta

Mar 3 2021

New parliamentary figures uncovered by authorities have revealed that at least 2,308 foreigners were working illegally in 2020. Information was revealed by Finance Minister Clyde Cardona when inquired about the subject, as he pointed out how these people were working a valued license. Malta has currently about 70,000 foreign workers, with 38,406 of these third-country nationals.

With Malta’s population reaching over 500,000, foreign workers would therefore make 25% of the total population. When employees are found without a Jobsplus permit by the several spot checks being held, action is taken directly with the employer.

#MaltaDaily