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THURSDAY 14 JANUARY 2021 • ISSUE 90
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Editorial PAGE 9
JUDICIOUS TIMING IS NECESSARY FOR COVID VOUCHERS ROLLOUT
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PAGE 7
Government
hits €316.3m
deficit in Q3
2020
€37m investment in
Freeport operations
to reduce impact on
nearby residents
PAUL COCKS
IT is as yet unclear which sec-
tors of business will be able to
benefit from the government's
second tranche of vouchers,
aimed at mitigating the eco-
nomic damage caused by COV-
ID-19.
e vouchers were scheduled
to be distributed at the end of
January but the distribution was
postponed indefintely following
a recent spike in daily COV-
ID-19 cases recorded. Economy
Minister Silvio Schembri said
that the ministry was in talks
with the Health Department
and other stakeholders to en-
sure that the vouchers be dis-
tributed at a time that would be
in everyone's interest.
e minister has thus far re-
fused to explain which busi-
nesses will benefit from this
second scheme.
Businesses have been le in the dark as to
which sectors will be able to benefit from
the upcoming voucher scheme, as they
quabble over distribution timing
Second COVID vouchers
scheme divides businesses
Economy minister Silvio
Schembri launching the
first voucher scheme