Stormy morning and heavy rainfall in several Maltese localities

Jan 13 2022

Malta woke up to rainy weather, with some areas being hit by stronger rainfall and even thunderous skies.

This weather however calmed down as the hours went on, giving way to a sunnier second half of the day, with wind and cold temperatures.

Several localities around the island also experienced over 500mm of rain as an average from the start of last September following a night of constant downpour. The average yearly rainfall in Malta usually amounts to 560mm.

The highest temperature today will be 13 degrees Celsius, and the lowest 11. However it will feel like 12 degrees Celsius and 6 degrees Celsius.

Does this set the stage for a rainy weekend? Well, Malta Airport Weather reports that tomorrow, Friday 14th January, is set to be mainly sunny.

The clouds are set to make a comeback on Saturday all throughout the rest of the weekend and well into next week as well.

It certainly makes it seem like cuddle up weather but for those venturing out, make sure you stay safe! The likelihood of heavy weather is 80% and light downpour 35%. Storms are 60% likely according to ‘It-Temp Madwarna.’

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Photo Source: Temp Madwarna – Debbie Borg

Six-week exemption for COVID recovered as they await booster shot

Jan 13 2022

With the new vaccine certificate rules coming into effect next Monday 17th January, people who have recently recovered from COVID-19 and are awaiting their booster shot will be granted a six-week exemption.

The exemption will be granted to anyone with a positive test result who is not yet eligible for the third shot. The measures, which were no stranger to controversy, will be outlined today as to how they will be working.

A vaccine certificate will be mandatory for entry into restaurants, bars and other venues as well as travel into the country as of Monday. The certificate will be valid for three months after the second dose of the jab or nine months from the booster. However, due to a spike in cases leading to thousands being in quarantine, the change could be problematic as they must await another four weeks from testing positive to be booster eligible.

Times of Malta revealed that the Deputy Prime Minister will be announcing an exemption valid for six weeks to give time for people to get their jab. It remains unclear whether the decision to impose a three-month expiry date on the second dose will be revised.

This comes after the European Commission said this would breach its travel regulations, which lays down a nine-month expiry period. The Malta International Airport has also stated that the rule discriminates against Maltese residents, followed by other groups and individuals asking for withdrawal or editing of the rules.

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Inter dramatically beat rivals Juventus to win Supercoppa Italiana

Jan 13 2022

Inter, through a last minute Alexis Sanchez goal, won the 2021 Supercoppa Italiana over eternal rivals Juventus. The game has been played every year since 1988 and sees the previous year’s Coppa Italia winners (Juventus) face the latest Serie A champions (Inter).

The game was held at Inter’s home ground, San Siro in front of a capacity of around 38,000 people. This also signaled, Simone Inzaghi’s first ever trophy as Inter Milan coach having joined last summer.

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The first half started well for both teams, as Inter took more possession of the ball whilst Juventus looked like playing more of a counter attacking game. Juventus’ game plane seemed to have worked as after numerous failed chances from Inter, they managed to take the lead in the 25th minute when Juve midfielder Weston Mckennie scored a header from a deflected Alvaro Morata cross.

All seemed well for Juventus after their surprising lead until in the 35th minute when right back Mattia De Sciglio tripped up Inter striker Edin Dzeko inside the box, resulting in a penalty for the Nerrazzuri. Under immense pressure, the penalty was scored convincingly by Argentinian striker Lautaro Martínez.

The second half started how the first ended, with both teams trying to create a goal scoring opportunity to get one hand on the coveted trophy. Alexis Sanchez, who replaced goalscorer Lautaro Martinez nearly scored an open header but missed by a few inches, whilst Juventus winger Federico Bernardeschi also had a chance to take the lead. The full 90 minutes were up and the score was still 1-1, which meant that the match would have to go to extra time.

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It seemed that even extra time couldn’t divide the two teams and the match was destined to end in a penalty shootout. Incredibly, the Juve bench were urging their players to foul someone so that Leonardo Bonucci could come on in order to take a penalty. That distracted the Juventus players as in the last minute of the game Alexis Sanchez managed to tap in a loose ball in the box, to hand Inter their first Supercoppa Italiana in over 11 years.

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PN calls on government to withdraw the January 17th measures

PN calls pn government to withdraw the January 17th measures

Jan 12 2022

Nationalist Party and Opposition Leader Bernard Grech issued a statement calling on the government to withdraw immediately the COVID measures coming into effect on the 17th of January.

Taking to Facebook, Bernard Grech began his statement by clarifying that he fully supports the recommendation by medical health professionals for people to get vaccinated with both shots and the booster. However, he said, the right for a person to make their own decision should be respected.

‘That a government enforces people to get vaccinated will not have the same results as when vaccine hesitant people consult inoculation with a trusted family doctor’.

He went on to add that these measures, ‘which many consider excessive and discriminatory’, will be increasing pressure on the worker who is already facing difficulties in employment, an increase in costs and ‘an added bureaucracy.’

He went on to state that if the government plans to hold these measures in place, there needs to be more transparency about the science upon which these decisions are being made.

The government, Grech said, should explain why Malta took a different route compared to that of other countries even in terms of periods of time between vaccination and booster shots.

Finally, he added, the government should make self-testing kits legal and available, due to the increase in active cases and difficulty in accessing testing centres.

‘Measures should find an adequate balance between public health and people’s freedoms’ he concluded. The PN’s call to reconsider the measures was also echoed by many organisations and sectors around the island,. What do you think?

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Photo Source: Bernard Grech FB