Pharmacies could stay open into afternoons on Sundays

Sep 19 2021

Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne issued a statement on social media revealing that advanced discussions are currently underway concerning the openings of pharmacies. The minister revealed that pharmacies could be extending their opening hours to beyond the afternoon so as to provide more services and service hours to whoever may need them.

So far, no more additional information has been revealed, but the cry of many people who have requested such a concept, mostly due to being in need of urgent medicines, has been heard. This is a developing story and further updates will be issued by the authorities.

#MaltaDaily

Labour boasts 56% of popular support against PN’s 42%

Sep 19 2021

A recent survey carried out by statistician Vince Marmara has shown that the Labour Party boasts a 55.9% of popular vote, whereas the Nationalist Party trails behind with 42%. Marmara published the results to his Facebook page, revealing that he used the Multiple Imputation Technique in carrying out the scientific survey. Compared to the results of the last election, this new survey highlights how the Labour party has gained 0.9% votes, with the Opposition losing a much more significant 1.3%. APPD and other alternative parties registered an increase of 0.4%.

Marmara revealed that the survey was conducted between the 25h of June and the 1st of July with a sample of 830 persons. The confidence level of the survey racks up at around 95%, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4%. According to other results of the survey, published on ‘it-Torca’, showed that current Prime Minister Robert Abela enjoys 51% of the trust of those interviewed. Bernard Grech falls behind at 32.5%. What do you make of this study?

#MaltaDaily

Drug tests being scrapped due to employee shortages

Sep 19 2021

In what seems to be a massive cultural shift, around 4,050 employers from around 43 countries are starting to look past the recreational use of drugs in order to fill vacant positions. A survey conducted by staffing firm Manpower Group suggested that around 9% of more than 45,000 employers were making away with drug tests or job screenings as an incentive to, reportedly, ‘attract and retain in-demand talent.’ It does seem that cannabis is the main, if not only, drug having its tests ignored due to its specific therapeutic usages but also massive movements vouching for its decriminalisation.

The model may be something Malta may have to consider come the near future as, according to a Times of Malta report on the 5th of July of this year, three fourths of businesses were struggling to find staff. A whopping 77% of businesses were finding it difficult to find workers of varying skills required for specific jobs, with the pandemic skyrocketing such issues for employers. With the advent of the cannabis White Paper, the island may see a bit of a shake up and easing when it comes to recreational drug use. It seems as though the world is aiming towards such a lifestyle, and maybe Malta should do some catching up.

#MaltaDaily

Xlendi bay plaque commemorates local swimmer Neil Agius

Sep 19 2021

A big pleasant surprise for local Olympian and swimmer Neil Agius as the Munxar Local Council has commemorated his massive achievements with a plaque placed in Xlendi Bay. In his latest, and one of the most impressive, swimming feats, Agius had planed to finish his record-breaking act in Golden Bay, Malta. Instead, due to bad weather conditions, Agius had to switch trajectory and head to Xlendi Bay, which, he revealed, happened to be an area very close to the swimmer’s heart.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Neil Agius (@neil.agius)

Agius revealed how it was a mad rush for the Maltese awaiting the swimmer to get to Gozo before he made it there, but the event turned out better than expected, with Agius reuniting with his loved ones and all his supportive fans after 125.7km worth of swimming completed in 52 hours and 9 minutes. Neil Agius is also an environmental activist particularly concerned with cleaning up the seas and oceans. The morning of the plaque reveal also initiated with a beach clean up on land and in the water. Neil Agius’ feat will be remembered for generations to come!

#MaltaDaily