Pope Francis could visit Malta in November 2021

Sep 1 2021

Despite there being no confirmed dates yet, Pope Francis might be visiting the Maltese islands at the end of November. Sources close to those arranging the Pope’s trip spoke anonymously and stated that the Vatican has not confirmed any dates. It is also unclear whether the visit to Malta will be combined with trips to Cyprus which, according to the Cypriot government, would happen in December.

The Cyprus trip is expected for the 2nd and 3rd of the last month of the year, but Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni did not confirm or deny the Cyprus trip. The Pope was expected to visit Malta in May last year but plans were postponed due to COVID-19. With a stopover in Gozo included in the trip, Pope Francis would be the third Roman Catholic pontiff to visit Malta after St John Paul II and pope emeritus Benedict XVI.

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Photo Source: The Telegraph, comece.eu

76 COVID-19 cases registered with 49 recoveries

Sep 1 2021

Malta has registered 76 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours from 4,043 swab tests, while 49 patients have recovered. No deaths were registered in the past 24 hours. This information was announced by the official Facebook page of Malta’s Ministry for Health.

As of Tuesday 31st August 2021, 797,017 vaccine doses were administered of which 413,985 were 1st doses. 412,767 people are currently fully vaccinated.

To date, Malta has registered 36,247 COVID-19 cases in total, of which: 34,727 have recovered, 441 died and 683 are still active.

Mater Dei Hospital is currently treating a total of 31 COVID-19 positive patients, 2 of whom are in the ITU.

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‘New Hope’ scheme launched to help cancer survivors reach their housing and insurance goals

Sep 1 2021

Addressing a press conference, Minister for Social Housing Roderick Galdes and Prime Minister Robert Abela announced the ‘New Hope’ scheme. This scheme will help people who survived diseases such as cancer overcome social and economical limitations previously imposed upon them when it comes to buying houses or apply for a bank loan.Despite overcoming the illness and having the same economical issues as others, such persons could not previously buy life insurance due to the previous laws in place.

This scheme will release stress off of banks as well as bringing dignity to all as where the bank institutions cannot provide such insurance, the government will step in to help. This insurance will include a €250,000 loan from banks which the government will use to help people who work and lead normal lives and yet find such challenges. The Prime Minister said that this will help people of all lifestyles achieve their aspirations in life with dignity and hope.

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Photo Source: Roderick Galdes FB, Pinergy

Homeschooling is now legal in Malta if parents provide ‘valid reasons’

Sep 1 2021

Provided parents give valid reasons why it is the child’s best interest, homeschooling is now legal in Malta. Along with the ‘valid’ reason’, parents must also possess a teaching warrant and a license. This legislation of homeschooling is part of a new Education Act which is set to come into effect by the 1st of October. The new act was presented by Education Minister Justyne Caruana and Malta Further and Higher Education head of legal Dennis Zammit. With talk and lobbying in favour of the practice ongoing since 2013, the authorities will monitor homeschooled students.

This is to ensure that an educational programme and syllabus which includes social and physical education components are presented by those who opt for the system. With parents who apply being audited, only those with valid reasons will be allowed to homeschool. Such reasons include families who move countries frequently. This news follows calls to extend mandatory education age to 18 (which, as of yet, was not approved) and heftier fines for not sending children to school.

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Photo Source: Justyne Caruana FB, The Conversation