Virologist Chris Barbara confirms vaccine efficacy against COVID-19 variants

Jun 8 2021

Speaking to The Malta Independent, virologist Chris Barbara stated that the vaccines available in Malta, notably Pfizer and AstraZeneca, are effective agains the COVID-19 variants. Following the registering of the first Indian variant (Delta) case in Malta last Friday, the virologist assured the public that vaccines are effective against the variants and that this is backed by various studies.

Barbara quoted a UK study which shows that Pfizer vaccines build up 88% immunity against the Delta variant when a person is fully inoculated. Full AstraZeneca vaccinations provide 60% effectiveness. Barbara also emphasised that the Indian, UK, Brazil and South African variants are variants of concern, which, so far, the vaccine is effective against. For a variant to render the vaccine ineffective, the variant would have to be classified as ‘high consequence’. There has yet to be such a case with COVID-19 globally.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: Christopher Barbara FB, Reuters

Spain opens travel borders for vaccinated tourists

Jun 8 2021

Fully vaccinated people, alongside people who provide negative PCR COVID-19 tests and cruise ships, can now visit Spain for its summer tourism season starting Monday. Tourists from the United States and other countries outside the EU can also visit Spain, following their ban in March of last year. Spain’s Health Minister Carolina Darias stated that ‘Spain is a safe destination’ and that the country was ‘in the process of reclaiming its global leadership in tourism.’

European travellers will, starting Monday, be allowed to enter with a cheaper antigen test. Travellers from the UK, however, would still need to quarantine after visiting Spain as the country has yet to remove the latter from its at-risk list. Non-essential travellers Brazil, India and South Africa are still banned due to the variants being of major concern.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: Schengen Visa

Cruise liner with positive COVID-19 case stopped from entering Malta

Jun 8 2021

A cruise liner from the company MSC Seaside left Sicily on the 1st of June, making its way to Malta as part of its six day voyage in the Mediterranean. The ship was prevented from docking in Malta however when a passenger was discovered to be positive for COVID-19. The case was reported Monday, with Malta having just reported 0 daily cases for the first time in almost a year.

An authority spokesperson informed TVM that the passenger felt ill during the voyage to Malta. He was promptly tested as part of the MSC protocols, with the ship continuing its voyage without stopping in Malta. Other protocols require passengers to take PCR tests before boarding as well as confirming full vaccination.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: Ship Technology

Classic car collector Carol Galea passes away

Jun 8 2021

Mark Galea announced that his father, Carol Galea, an avid classic car collector and museum owner, has sadly passed away. Carol Galea owned the Malta Classic Car Museum, where the vehicles were restored to such pristine conditions that one would think they had just ‘rolled off the production line.’

Carol’s work evolved from customising and building his own cars to creating an entire tribute to the automobile industry. Carol’s legacy will continue on in the museum which acts as a time capsule showcasing all the history of the classic vehicles.

His son Mark bid farewell to, as he described him, the ‘most loving and caring dad’ and a ‘gentleman with a heart of gold.’ Rest in Peace Carol!

You can visit the website here:
https://www.classiccarsmalta.com/

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: Mark Galea FB, classiccarsmalta.com