Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1250967
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 24 MAY 2020 14 COMMERCIAL TVM THURSDAY 6:30PM Telecare service installation available for free CONNECTED Care, the pro- vider of the Telecare service, has been offering elderly and vulnerable customers fee-free installation throughout the cur- rent COVID-19 outbreak, help- ing these communities to access this important 24x7 emergency service. Telecare, which is available to the customers of all fixed line telecommunications operators, including Melita, has, over many years, provided peace of mind to both users and their next of kin, through continuous access to a specialist emergen- cy call centre. Either through a hub within the home, or a pen- dant which is worn by the user, instant contact can be made with this centre simply through the touch of a button. Telecare operators are trained to offer support to users who contact the centre and to take care of contacting emergen- cy services and next of kin. The Telecare system can also be connected to other sensors within the house which, for ex- ample, can detect movement and trigger a call should this be necessary. The service is avail- able to all Melita customers upon request and subject to an annual service fee of just €48. Lucienne Vassallo, General Manager at Connected Care Ltd, said, "The current COV- ID-19 outbreak has made it harder for people to check in on elderly or vulnerable loved ones. "This, inevitably, is adding to the stress which this situation is creating. By removing the installation fee for Telecare, we are helping these families, regardless of which telecoms company they are subscribed too, to find peace of mind. They know that should an- ything happen, they and the emergency services will be in- stantly alerted." More information on Telecare can be obtained by calling 2142 4949 or sending an email to in- fo@connectedcare.mt HSBC launches Malta Development Bank COVID-19 guarantee scheme HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c. is fur- ther enhancing its support for the business community dur- ing these challenging times by confirming its participation in the Malta Development Bank (MDB) COVID-19 Guarantee Scheme (CGS). This development comple- ments a series of initiatives al- ready taken by the bank at the outset of the COVID-19 pan- demic, including capital repay- ment holidays, fee-free tempo- rary short-term working capital and trade finance support. This government-backed scheme provides banks with credit risk mitigation and capital relief in respect of loans granted to el- igible and viable businesses. Which may be experiencing cash flow and liquidity pres- sures resulting from the ad- verse business conditions fol- lowing the virus outbreak. HSBC Malta's normal credit guidelines will continue to ap- ply. Joyce Grech, Head of Com- mercial Banking at HSBC Malta, said: "The launch of the Malta Development Bank COVID-19 Guarantee Scheme will further enable us to sup- port business customers who are looking for financial sup- port during this uncertain time. The COVID-19 Guaran- tee Scheme facilitates the pro- vision of additional financing for businesses facing a sudden acute liquidity shortage. HSBC Malta has already introduced a significant number of other measures to support the busi- ness community and I would encourage all our commercial customers who feel they need assistance to contact their Re- lationship Manager in order to discuss the best options avail- able for their specific require- ments."