Some countries not recognising J&J vaccine passports issued in Malta

Jul 23 2021

Recipients of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in Malta are facing issues in certain EU countries as their certificates are being registered as invalid. The governmental apps used to verify EU digital COVID-19 certificates through QR code scanning in France, Belgium, Switzerland and Luxembourg are registering the Maltese J&J certificates as invalid. Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna certificates are being accepted however.

Times of Malta reports the experience of several Maltese or foreign nationals inoculated in Malta who reported such experiences. One particular individual, Steve Abela, reported how on his holiday in France earlier this month he was denied access to a bar to watch a football game after his J&J certificated was scanned as invalid.

Checking by scanning his certificate with government applications of three other countries, he realised the document was posing the problem. With France requiring a COVID-19 passport to access a wide range of venues, Abela reported how airports were not checking QR codes but instead did so manually.

Authorities have allegedly been contacted by Abela and others, but no reply was issued. 12 other people reported to Times of Malta with similar issues – revealing how Switzerland’s ‘Certificate Check’, Belgium’s ‘Covid Scan’, and Luxembourg’s ‘CovidCheck.LU’, along with France’s ‘TousAntiCovid’, weren’t recognising Johnson & Johnson certificates.

This poses a problem as, according to the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC), around 9,000 people have been given the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in Malta.

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Photo Source: Open Access Government

Venues in Italy to introduce mandatory vaccine certificates as cases surge

Jul 23 2021

A range of venues in Italy are introducing the mandatory presentation of a COVID-19 vaccination certificate for access. Including restaurants, stadiums, gyms, cinemas and museums, those who received at least one jab of the vaccine and are aged 12 and over will require a ‘green pass’ to enter certain indoor venues. Italy thus follows in the footsteps of countries like France and Israel, despite ongoing protests against restrictions and alleged ‘discrimination’ against the unvaccinated.

Around a half of Italians aged 12 and over are fully vaccinated, despite the country expeaieing a spike in cases. The new green pass will also be available to anyone who presents proof of negative PCR testing, provided it is taken 48 hours prior to accessing any venues. With the Delta variant being the main culprit behind most of the infections, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi invited all Italians to receive the jab. Otherwise, closure would become a necessity once more.

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Photo Source: Al Jazeera, BDO Malta

Less than 7% of foreign students used their government vouchers

Jul 23 2021

Despite some 18,000 students travelled to Malta between June 1st and July 14th, less than 7% of that total used their government vouchers. Before being withdrawn by the government, the vouchers were aimed at generating millions back into the economy. Worth up to €300 for students staying 30 nights, the percentage translates into just 1,232 students.

Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo had stated that it was in Malta’s interest to push the industry as the tourism economy is a vital aspect of Malta. The scheme was met with criticism as to allowing unvaccinated students to travel to Malta, with the scheme being withdrawn when language schools were forced to close down due to a spike in infections.

A total of €295,650 were spent through the student vouchers whilst €2,069,550 were either directly or indirectly generated in the economy. The metal of flights and vouchers amounted to €17,820,000.

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Photo Source: Clayton Bartolo FB

WATCH: Acts of Kindness: FREE SALADS at Ġnejna Bay

Jul 22 2021

If you’ve been on the internet at all this week, you may or may have not seen that Malta Daily is collaborating with a number of local brands to conduct several acts of kindness across the island. This nationwide initiative is an attempt to brighten up the lives of locals after a turbulent few months ridden with shocking street brawls and heated online arguments. Whether it’s distributing free fuel vouchers or heading to local beaches to provide a fresh and healthy snack, we are committed to spreading the kindness so that you can too.

Salad Box is your beach buddy: healthy food, fresh ingredients & the best to go container…#healthyfood #healthysalads #salads #beachbuddy@saladboxmalta

Posted by Salad Box Malta on Friday, 25 June 2021

For today’s act of kindness Andrew and the team visited Ġnejna to distribute a couple of fresh salads thanks to one of Malta Daily’s partners Salad Box Malta. With Malta registering record-high temperatures weekly, a salad is just what you need to satisfy your summer cravings while staying refreshed and hydrated, which is why we saw it as the opportune moment to spread some kindness.

Acts of Kindness #2 – Free Salads from Salad Box. 🥗

Whether it's distributing free fuel vouchers or heading to local beaches to provide a fresh and healthy snack, we are committed to spreading the kindness so that you can too. 🤝For today's act of kindness Andrew and the team visited Ġnejna to distribute a couple of fresh salads thanks to one of Malta Daily's partners Salad Box Malta! 🥗#MaltaDaily #MaltaDailyActsofKindness

Posted by Malta Daily on Thursday, 22 July 2021

Judging by the looks on people’s faces, receiving a free salad from a random stranger is not only a pleasant surprise, but a well-received change of pace from the daily arguments and fisticuffs we have come accustomed to seeing. At the end of the day, making someone else’s day better requires two things: a positive mindset and a little bit of effort, which is why we are encouraging everyone to follow suit and spread the kindness.

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