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2 NEWS 30.07.2020 LAFERLA has received over €50,000 worth of cryptocurrency payments through its crypto payment gateway since going live less than a year ago. The gateway was soft launched in No- vember 2019 to accommodate com- panies paying with this increasing- ly-popular payment method. The milestone is even more remark- able as Laferla reached this figure within just a few months with no mar- keting exposure. "We have always been at the fore- front of digital technology, even back in the 1980s when Laferla was found- ed, by investing heavily in IT. Invest- ing into this key part of the future of payment systems was a natural step" said Keith Laferla, who oversaw the integration of this innovative payment option. The push for Malta to become the 'Blockchain Island' has brought many key players in the industry to the country. "It is important to integrate a payment solution to accommo- date the DLT industry, who may deal mainly in cryptocurrencies. Laferla is here to make it easy for firms to settle their insurance using a digital curren- cy, without having to convert to FIAT currencies." Accepting over 45 different cryp- tocurrencies via its crypto payment gateway, Laferla is the first insurance provider in Malta to invest in receiv- ing cryptocurrency payments for any transaction, which can be done easi- ly through the Laferla website www. laferla.com.mt. Laferla first insurance provider to accept crypto payments PAUL COCKS INTRODUCING a blanket ban on mass events would bring the economy back to a grinding halt, the president of the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Associ- ation told BusinessToday. Tony Zahra insisted that calls for authorities to impose ban on mass events following a re- cent spike in COVID-19 cases were immature. Concerns have been grow- ing after a spike in COVID-19 cases over the past week. e surge can be traced back to a hotel party held a fortnight ago and the Santa Venera feast. Zahra said the solution was to ensure that clear protocols are in place and enforced. "Events need to be managed well, not curtailed," he said. "But organisers and custom- ers both have to be sure to fol- low protocols to minimise the risks." He said that imposing a com- plete ban on all mass gath- erings would provide fatal to many sectors, who were start- ing to pick up where they left off before lockdown measures were introduced to combat coronavirus. "As with anything else, there are risks involved," Zahra said. "Even crossing the road poses risks, so we look right and left to minise those risks. And we must do the same with mass events, make them as safe as possible for people to attend." However, the situation was further compounded on Tues- day with the arrival of 66 res- cued migrants who tested positive for COVID-19. e migrants were in isolation from the moment they disembarked and are currently at the Ħal Far Initial Reception Centre. e circumstances have prompted some party pro- moters and organisers to can- cel their events. Some festa organisers have also stopped marches, including the popular Hamrun feast, which attracts thousands of people. And the Medical Association of Malta today called for a ban on activities with more than 10 people and ordered its mem- bers to only work on emergen- cy cases from Monday unless the government clamped down on mass events. Minister dismisses ban Tourism minister Julia Farru- gia Portelli also did not enter- tain the notion of an outright ban on mass events, despite a public outcry that was bol- stered by ultimatum the doc- tors' union gave government. She said introducing limits on attendance for mass events was not being excluded, and that government will continue seeking a "balanced approach" and like it did at the height of the pandemic will revise deci- sions accordingly. Former Labour prime minis- ter Alfred Sant described mass events and band marches as "a bad idea". Farrugia Portelli's comments to journalists after visiting a refurbishment project at the Westin Dragonara Hotel were the first official government re- action to the developments. On Sunday, Prime Minister Robert Abela labelled people expressing concern about the recent surge in coronavirus cases as negative, promising that the economy will remain open. Farrugia Portelli said talks were underway with the health authorities to establish clear- er protocols for mass events, while an evaluation of what could have gone wrong at the event that sparked the latest cases is underway. "As it did during the pandem- ic, when there were medical professionals who clamoured for a complete lockdown, the government will collectively continue to seek a balanced approach in its decisions and where need be revise these ac- cordingly," she said. Several large parties attract- ing thousands of foreign revel- lers are planned over the com- ing months, raising concerns over a sudden influx of COV- ID-19 cases. Tourism Minister does not exclude limiting headcount for mass events Tourism minister Julia Farrugia Portelli

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