PL’s metro plan is not feasible says Bernard Grech

Feb 24 2022

Speaking on Thursday, Opposition leader Bernard Grech said that the government’s metro proposal is not feasible and will not be carried out.

‘Their €6.25 billion proposal is not even doable and in fact, after a grand show for the metro, they hid it away quickly’ he said. This comes after the PN proposed a metro-system and high-speed rail in its electoral program in 2017.

Last October, government had proposed a €6.25 billion three-line metro system for national discussion. However, the PN leader said the party’s plan for a mass transport system will maximise government’s €700 million infrastructural spending.

Grech called his party’s more realistic, saying it incorporates the infrastructural projects the country has invested in. ‘We will keep on building on this and keep on incentivising people to ditch their car and use a mass public transport system.’

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Photo Source: Malta Metro, Bernard Grech FB

Malta has the largest amount of people vaccinated with booster

Feb 24 2022

Health Minister Chris Fearne revealed today that Malta has the highest rate of vaccinations when it comes to the COVID-19 booster shot.

Fearne highlighted how the number of cases in the community remained relatively low, with 733 positive cases in the community and 44 hospitalised at Mater Dei. With 3 people in the ITU, this indicates that the numbers are not increasing too much as measures are being eased.

‘Our politics is not one that aims for zero COVID but to see that enough services and resources in hospital are available so as to avoid any situations where we are overwhelmed’ said Fearne.

The Minister revealed that around one million and a quarter vaccine doses were administered, with 342,000 people vaccinated with the booster jab. This gives Malta the highest amount of boosted individuals, standing at 80%. When it comes to children aged between 5 to 11, 26,000 doses were administered.

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Financial help to stray cat feeders and more animal proposals by PN

Feb 24 2022

The Nationalist Party has revealed 12 new proposals ahead of the March general election which seek to give more rights to animals and laws concerning their well-being.

The message was delivered by MP Peter Agius alongside candidates Rebekah Cilia and Bernice Bonello, highlighting the importance of caring for our animal friends which include everything from harsher penalties for animal abuse as well as aid for those working with animals.

Among the measures, the PN is proposing increasing the resources, functions and even powers available to the Animal Welfare Commissioner as well as a National Neutering Campaign for all those abandoned animals.

The penalties for those who abuse animals will be made harsher the party emphasised, with establishments serving as ‘zoos’ receiving more regulation. No new establishments will be allowed to be created.

Enforcement to stop importation without permission will also be given importance, along with the prohibition of importation of exotic animals should they not have permits.

The program to microchip cats will also be quickened to lessen the abandonment and theft of the felines. Educational programmes and incentives centred around animal welfare will also be created by the government.

To round these proposals up, the party is pledging to finish the animal cemetery project, give financial aid to those voluntarily feeding stray cats and the building of an animal friendly park in every public zone.

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No quarantine for vaccinated primary contacts as of March 7th

Feb 24 2022

Addressing a press conference, Health Minister Chris Fearne announced that vaccinated primary contacts of COVID-19 positive cases won’t have to quarantine at all as of 7th March.

The Deputy Prime Minister was speaking at a press conference when he revealed changes to the quarantine rules of the country. Apart from the aforementioned rule, vaccinated people who test positive for the virus will be allowed out of quarantine after seven days following a negative test.

Unvaccinated secondary contacts won’t need to quarantine whereas unvaccinated primary contacts of COVID-19 positives will be able to exit quarantine after five days if they provide a negative test.

The quarantine period for vaccinated travellers from dark red countries will also go down to seven days from ten. This comes as more WHO approved vaccines are approved by Malta’s health authorities.

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