LOCAL NEWS
Update by Ministry of Health
There was one new case of coronavirus in Malta in the past 24 hours as well as one recovery. This means that active cases remained stable at 13.
981 persons were tested yesterday. The Health Department said that this case is imported but did not give any additional details. Malta re-opened its airport two days ago.
#MALTA-24: LOCAL NEWS
Timesofmalta.com
‘A second wave of coronavirus is likely’
One of the country’s top epidemiologists believes it is likely that Malta will see a second wave of coronavirus later this year.
Neville Calleja said most of his counterparts around the world are preparing for a spike in cases in the coming months.
“It’s likely that a second wave will coincide with seasonal influenza. Obviously peoples’ immunity has its ups and downs with winter making it worse. Logically, the same cocktail of conditions that predisposes people to getting seasonal flu, is the same cocktail that predisposes people to getting COVID-19. So it makes perfect sense to prepare for a second wave come autumn.”
Independent
Ryanair to clear 90 per cent of COVID refunds by end July
Ryanair confirmed today that it was making rapid progress in processing customer refunds for flights cancelled during the period from March to June as a result of Government imposed Covid-19 flight cancellations.
Since the Ryanair Dublin offices reopened on 1 June last, additional refunds staff have been trained to eliminate the backlog of customer refund requests.
All March cash refund requests have now been cleared. At the end of June, 50% of April cash refunds have been cleared. By 15 July, the balance of April cash refunds will be processed. By the end of July, all of May and most of June cash refunds will also be processed.
Newspaper Review
L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said he was confident that Malta will pass the Moneyval test. Addressing the PL General Conference, Abela said the government will be focused on this challenge.
The Independent quotes the president of the Employer’s Association Doris Sammut Bonnici who warned that grey-listing by Moneyval would be as economically crippling to Malta as the coronavirus pandemic.
The Times reports that the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life submitted the findings of an investigation into gifts from Yorgen Fenech to former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. A parliamentary committee will convene to discuss the conclusions.
In-Nazzjon reveals that Assistant Police Commissioner Ian Abdilla, who has been removed from the Economic Crimes Unit, has now been appointed director of the IT and Communications department.
L-Orizzont speaks to Dar tal-Providenza director Fr Martin Micallef after starting his treatment for cancer. He said that the Covid-19 crisis left an impact on the organisation’s finances and appealed for help.
The Times follows the compilation of evidence against the men accused of causing the death of Miriam Pace in a house collapse in March. The victim’s daughter revealed that Pace was seeing a psychologist to treat her anxiety over construction works next door.
The Independent asks Owen Bonnici whether he had any concerns over deals made by Konrad Mizzi while he was Justice Minister. The now Education Minister said he has faith in the judiciary.
In-Nazzjon says that a Gozo Channel trip left Malta on Monday carrying only a fuel bowser. The paper says this is a breach of policy because dangerous goods are delivered on Tuesday and Thursday, and certainly not on public holidays.
Editorials
The Times of Malta’s Editorial today tackles the issue of personal finance, making an argument that, this is significantly missing from school curricula. This trend is changing in some countries as the importance of managing finances is of critical relevance to most people. The Editor argues that having basic knowledge of how to save and spend can make the difference between living without the constant fear of losing financial independence and being forever anxious about how to pay the next utility bill or car repair.
The Independent tackles the ‘right’ to parliamentary privilege, calling for its revision to instil a stronger sense of responsibility in MPs as well as give better opportunities for redress in case of abuse, especially if the injured party does not have the Speaker’s protection. Although ironically it was another MP to have raised the issue recently (former PM Joseph Muscat), the Editor says that the key concern is where third parties, people who have never been MPs, were attacked in speeches made in Parliament without having the right to defend their name and without the possibility to file for damages in the courts of law.
L-Orizzont returns to the issue of governance, highlighting the strengthening of institutions in Malta following the implementation of a number of proposals put forward, among others, by the Venice Commission. The Editorial calls for more transparency in decisions being taken to ensure that citizens understand how and why certain decisions are taken.
In-Nazzjon continues its celebration of its 50th anniversary, focusing on the contribution throughout the past years, starting from darker days for Maltese democracy. The Editor shares a note of appreciation towards all contributors throughout this history as well towards its readers who remained loyal to paper.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS (By corporatedispatch.com)
A further 14 deaths were reported in France from the coronavirus
The number of deaths in France from Covid-19 has risen by 14 from the previous day to 29,875, the country’s health department said. The number of people in hospital fell by 188 to 8,148 and the number of people in intensive care units fell by nine to 573, with both numbers continuing weeks-long downtrends.
Chicago to quarantine all arrivals from U.S. states with COVID-19 surges
Chicago will quarantine for 14 days all arrivals from U.S. states where coronavirus cases are surging, its Public Health Commissioner said late on Thursday, as the country reported a record number of new infections.
Allison Arwady said the directive will take effect on Monday.
It currently covers 15 states, including California, Florida, Texas and Arizona, and it makes provision for adding or removing states as their coronavirus caseloads change, according to the city’s official website.
EU Corner – by Comuniq.EU
Merkel calls for EU resolve and unity as Germany takes the helm
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged European Union leaders to reach agreement on a multi-billion euro coronavirus recovery fund, calling for resolve and saying Europe was facing the most difficult situation in its history.
Echoing Merkel‘s urgency as Germany took the helm of the bloc, the EU’s chief executive Ursula von der Leyen joined the chancellor via video link to warn that the next six months were crucial after the region reacted slowly to the coronavirus and now faced a severe economic downturn.
“We are clear where the difficulties are but we all know it would be good if we agree in July. If we need more time it would be a less good variant,” Merkel said, also referring to plans for the new seven-year EU budget.
This daily update bulletin is being compiled for the Chamber of Advocates by CI Consulta from Corporate ID Group. CI Consulta delivers policy research and analysis, evaluations and impact assessments up to policy implementation and integration.
