Strong presence of dolphins and whales in Maltese waters

Oct 24 2021

A new study by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) has confirmed that there is a strong presence of dolphins and whales in Maltese waters. The research, which forms part of Malta’s Assessment of Marine Waters, has shown that four species of each marine mammal were reported swimming around Malta in the latest surveys. Among them, the Sperm Whale, which is one of the largest toothed predators, was noted.

Other species of these magnificent creatures include Fin, Long-Finned Pilot and Cuvier’s Beaked whales as well as Risso’s, Common, Striped and Bottlenose dolphins. The animals are migratory, meaning they travel long distances at a time. This makes them a very rare sight for the public. They also have a tendency to swim deep beneath the surface considering their ability to stay for prolonged amounts of time underwater, making them harder to spot. However, the occasional sighting always manages to make the news, with some of the most recent being a Fin Whale last April near Gozo’s Ta’ Sanap. Longer-term monitoring is still required, reveals ERA, as it aims to take into consideration noise pollution and marine litter and their impacts on these animal populations.

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COVID-19 boosters essential to save Christmas holidays

Oct 24 2021

Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne has emphasized the COVID-19 booster as being the ‘essential’ tool to save the winter season and all the Christmas holidays. Speaking to ONE’s PaperScan this morning, the health minister pointed to the ongoing booster rollout as being what avoids the reintroduction of restrictions over the coming weeks. Thankfully, the minister did highlight the COVID-19 pandemic in Malta as being under control, with, as of yesterday evening, Mater Dei having 15 patients and three others in the ITU due to COVID-19.

Still, receiving your booster dose when getting an appointment is ‘crucial’, said Fearne, as it will ensure that the upcoming winter holidays can be enjoyed safely and without any restrictions and/or case spikes. Two-thirds of over-70s have already received their booster dose, with new details set to be announced in Parliament tomorrow about how this rollout will trickle down to younger age groups. Defending Malta’s strategy in handling the virus, Fearne revealed he resisted calls to lift all measures as this is a very delicate situation. However, should the epidemiological situation continue to improve as it is, this could become a very real possibility soon.

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Photo Source: Mercury Holidays Ireland, Chris Fearne FB

What will be the COVID-19 election protocols? Rules being finalized

Oct 24 2021

It’s no doubt that in the event of an election, the increase of social gatherings and other celebratory activities become much more of a reality. However, with COVID-19 still lingering around with us, rules are being finalized so as to prepare the country for the general election. These regulations will target mass meetings, a possible extension to voting day and a limited access to the normally packed counting hall. Chief Electoral Commissioner Joe Camilleri is undertaking the effort to draft such a plan, alongside political party representatives and Superintendent for Public Health Charmaine Gauci. A finalized version will be presented to the commission shortly, with newsroom Times of Malta reporting that the voting process will remain the same, albeit somewhat slower.

This is because of the capping of the number of people allowed in voting stations, with special protocols being worked on for the elderly and the vulnerable. Health authorities are also still grappling with how to grant voting access to those infected with COVID-19 and those undertaking mandatory quarantine. A source told Times of Malta that ‘having crowds falling over each other and smashing on the Perspex isn’t ideal, given the pandemic situation.’ Repatriation flights will also be held as normal, but there is ongoing discussion as to how to handle travelers from restricted zones.

The pandemic’s impact has wiggled its way into elections all around the world, with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance reporting that between 2020 and last September, at least 79 countries/territories had to postpone sub/national elections due to COVID-19. There were still more than a hundred elections and referenda, so the practice is still not completely doomed for the time being. As of yet, Prime Minister Robert Abela has remained mum on election rumors, deciding to focus instead on the implementation of the recently presented 2022 Budget. Election fever is setting in however as the end of Labour’s term draws nearer as of June 2022.

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Photo Source: Times of Malta, Charmaine Gauci FB, Robert Abela FB

Gozo should have metro access without a population increase of 50,000

Oct 24 2021

As studies, research and discussions into the building of the Metro System continue, the Gozo Tourism Association has expressed that the island should be included in the 25 station connection route. This should be done, the association expressed, without Malta’s sister island having to increase its population by 50,000 to create a metro connection with Malta. It in fact expressed its surprise that the transportation system set to revolutionize how we go about our daily lives on the island was not inclusive of Gozo. With another project on the agenda – the Malta to Gozo tunnel – the two massive projects have, as of yet, no connection.

The Gozo Tourism Association (GTA) argued that in the proposed argument to extend the metro only if Gozo’s population increases by 50,000 ‘does not hold water’. This mainly has to do with tourism as, in 2019, over 1.5 million foreign tourists visited Gozo for the day. During a pre-COVID 2019, Gozo also hosted 215,22 domestic visitors and 180,978 foreign visitors who stayed one or more nights in accommodation on the island. These numbers of course do not include workers and/or students crossing the two islands, with the GTA asking if this was taken into consideration when studies were carried out.