Malta and Gozo’s first daily news roundup in the morning
Bonġu News on Tuesday, 30 November
Omicron: Countries are tightening restrictions as WHO warns of ‘very high’ risk of global spread
The World Health Organization warned on Monday the new COVID-19 Omicron variant poses a “very high” risk.
Although no deaths connected with the Omicron variant have been reported to date, the WHO says the variant may be associated with immune escape potential and higher transmissibility.
United States chief medical advisor, Anthony Fauci, also warned that the Omicron variant shows signs of increased potential of transmission
Fauci said the US has “the potential to go into a fifth wave” of coronavirus infections amid rising cases and stagnating vaccination rates.
Meanwhile, the UK government has imposed new restrictions to fight Omicron after the first cases of the variant were found in the country.
Everyone entering the UK has to take a PCR test by the second day after their arrival and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.
All contacts of suspected Omicron cases must self-isolate, regardless of whether or not they are fully vaccinated.
Wearing face coverings is mandatory again in shops and on public transport.
In Malta, everyone aged 50 and over can now register for the COVID-19 booster dose.
Health Minister Chris Fearne said the government’s goal is for everyone over 50 to receive the booster shot by the end of December.
The registration process at vaccin.gov.mt started on Monday.
15 coronavirus patients are currently hospitalised at Mater Dei, two of whom in the ITU.
The total number of active cases was 1,136 as of Monday noon.
Moviment Graffiti: Proposed cannabis bill ‘substantial improvement’ over white paper
Moviment Graffiti said the proposed cannabis bill is a “substantial improvement” when compared to the white paper presented earlier this year.
The NGO welcomed that cannabis users will be able to buy on a regularised market, without being criminalised, or grow up to four plants in their homes.
“Unfortunately, the debate has seen more and more wild claims being bandied about in the media, with certain organisations quoting statistics that do not exist, or simply twisting facts”, the group said.
Moviment Graffiti also called for an end to stigmatisation, misinformation and scaremongering “by a number of critics of the bill”.
The NGO condemned the Malta Employers Association’s call for a ‘zero-tolerance’ approach with drug tests on their staff.
Cannabis remains detectable in the blood for weeks and a positive test result can never reveal when it was consumed, the group said.
