No more masks for school children as of April 13th

Apr 4 2022

Speaking virtually on TVAM, Health Minister Chris Fearne confirmed that children in school will no longer be required to wear masks.

The measure was hinted at being removed by the Health Minister who said that the epidemiological situation would be assessed during the Easter period to see if this were possible.

Following a statement by Prime Minister Robert Abela, who said that we need to move towards a ‘normalcy’ where everyone decides how to best make their health choices, Fearne revealed that the masks will in fact be removed as of April 13th.

The measure had sparked several protests, with one parent even hosting a one-man protest to unmask the kids. This measure comes as other restrictions are eased, including travel and events health restrictions.

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Second booster jab offered voluntarily to most vulnerable

Apr 4 2022

Speaking virtually on TVAM this morning, Health Minister Chris Fearne announced that the second booster will be offered to the immunocompromised on a voluntary basis.

The jab will also be offered to people in elderly homes and will not have any impact on the vaccination certificate. Fearne reiterated statements by Prime Minister Robert Abela who, after being sworn in, said that we need to move towards a lifestyle where people choose how to safeguard their own health.

Outdoor events also require no vaccination certification, as opposed to indoor events which still require the proof of vaccination with the first booster. Fearne said that this is the move towards normality whilst protecting the vulnerable.

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COVID self-testing finally made legal in Malta

Apr 4 2022

COVID-19 self-testing is officially set to become legal in Malta this week as Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne relaxes further measures as he undergoes quarantine.

The Health minister announced the news to TVAM hosts Pablo Micallef and Mario Xuereb over the phone, but went on to announce further pandemic related measures.

The minister said that those travelling to Malta from a country on the red list will be allowed in with a negative PCR test or a recovery certificate.

Children will also no longer be required to wear a mask in schools after the 13th of April, while a second booster will be offered to the most vulnerable. He went on to note how the number of cases in the community increased over recent days.

The seven-day moving average is currently that of 640 new cases daily. However, ITU cases remain relatively low, with just five people in the ITU receiving treatment for the virus.

Other than that, standing events outdoors will not require a vaccine certificate as of the April 10th, and there will not be a capping on the number of people allowed in the same crowd.

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More nominations by candidates submitted for casual elections

Apr 3 2022

Five new combinations have been received by the Electoral Commission for the causal election process as vacated seats are set to be filled by MPs elected on two districts.

Labour’s James Grech submitted two nominations for 2nd and 3rd districts, followed by Herbert Conti for the 4th district. General election candidates are allowed to contest in two voting districts but must then drop their seat in one of them.

Vacant sats are filled by reviewing the ballot papers of the Mp that vacated the seat and then distributing the reference votes to unelected candidates. Nominations can be received util Tuesday at noon with the casual elections held on Thursday.

Elections will be held in the 2nd district for the seat ceded by Clyde Caruana, on the 3rd for one dropped by Owen Bonnici, 4th (Chris Fearne), 5th (Robert Abela), 6th (Ian Borg), 7th (Silvio Schembri), 9th (Michael Falzon and Clifton Grima) and 11th (Miriam Dalli).

The PL had only five candidates contesting the ninth district, with two of the remaining three being elected in other districts. These two are Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi and Edward Zammit Lewis. Rebecca Buttigieg was automatically elected into parliament.

The Prime Minister nominated Randolph Debattista for the remaining vacant seat, with the decision endorsed by the party executive. Casual elections for the PN will also have to take place.

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