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28.01.2021 5 NEWS Job Vacancy e Institute for Education would like to inform the general public that a vacancy for the following job position has arisen within the Institute. Human Resources Manager (Jobsplus permit number 32/2021) Interested applicants are requested to apply online by following the link https://bit. ly/2XW5Gzw by Friday 29th January 2021. For more information on the above- mentioned job position kindly visit the Institute's website www.ife.gov.mt Circular IfE 04/2021 Institute for Education Martin Luther King Road Pembroke PBK 1990 FROM PAGE 1 From 11 to 17 February, all those on the Gozo ferry will have their temperature taken when embarking. While on- board the vessel, people will be required to remain in their cars. e ferry will continue to op- erate at half capacity. Abela, however, warned that while Gozo was not closed, "we can- not have a situation as in the past." Police will also be making ad- ditional patrols in Gozo, includ- ing Nadur, Xlendi, Marsalforn and Rabat. Malta Tourism Authority will also be making more regular in- spections, to make sure people are following the protocols. Abela also said that financial aid to bars and clubs will in- crease more than two-fold. He said that the aid being given will double from €1 million to €2.2 million. Details on this will be given by Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo by the end of this week, he said. "In the coming four weeks, we have to continue with our lives, but also do what is necessary," Abela said. "February has to be different this year," he said. 11pm closure not an issue for restaurants Matthew Pace, secretary of the Association of Catering Estab- lishments, said the government had acted cautiously and within acceptable parameters, while clearly remaining alert to any possible effects. And although restaurants would now have to close at 11pm, many operators would not find the measure too intru- sive or objectionable, this being the quiet season and the num- bers of patrons being what they are, he said. Pace said that the association was constantly encouraging its members to continue adhering to the regulations and restric- tions introduced. "And the vast majority of es- tablishments are doing exactly that, knowing that only follow- ing regulations can ensure their economic longevity," he said. "And while a limited few estab- lishments have been found in breach of regulations, it would be unfair to say they are repre- sentative of the whole sector, far from it." MHRA emphasises enforcement e Malta Hotels and Restau- rants Association has insisted the secret to lowering the num- ber of COVID-19 cases lies in effective enforcement. e association was reacting to new measures announced by government for the month of February. Restaurants will be forced to close between 11 pm and 6 am, with enforcement being ramped up in Gozo over the carnival weekend. e MHRA said the relevant authorities must be adequate- ly resourced and instructed to ensure that the rules related to COVID-19 and licensing are enforced across the board on an equal standing. "Hotels and restaurants are al- ready paying a hefty price due to the global spread of the COV- ID-19 pandemic so it is impor- tant that Government focuses concrete action to ensure those betraying collective responsibil- ity efforts are penalized as oth- erwise all the sacrifices borne by law abiding operators and citizens will serve for nothing," it said. e association said it con- sistently supported reasonable measures aimed at ensuring a balanced approach to the pan- demic. Malta Chamber of SMEs welcomes measures e measures introduced yes- terday were the right decision in the current circumstances, SME Chamber deputy presi- dent Philip Fenech said. "e government had to find a balance between introduc- ing tighter and more stringent health restrictions and safe- guarding the economy and live- lihoods of thousands," he said. And while welcoming news of stricter enforcement, Fenech noted how many law-abiding rental property owners felt they were being singled out, while those renting the properties could end up scot-free even if found to be in breach of the measures. As to who would be held re- sponsible in the case of infringe- ment, Fenech said it would be unjust to sanction the property owners, when they could not know what the renters were do- ing all the time. "Why charge the owner, if the renter decides to invite more people over than there are beds for on the property? e owner would not know what is hap- pening." Fenech said he expected this to be made clear when details are revealed by Tourism Minis- ter Clayton Bartolo. 'Enforcement will be key' David Xuereb, President of the Chamber of Commerce, told BusinessToday that the new measures sent a loud and clear message that things cannot go unaddressed. "e government is making it clear that we should not let things like carnival, Easter and others distract us from the ele- phant in the room," he said. "We are in the middle of a pandemic with high numbers of new cases and deaths being recorded and nothing should distract us from making sure people remain safe and healthy." Xuereb said enforcement will be key in ensuring the efforts the country as a whole was do- ing to mitigate the spread of COVID do not end up being superfluous. "A strong enforcement exer- cise now, with those found in breach seen to be punished, will go a long way to showing how disciplined this country is, while also placating the anger of law-abiding citizens and busi- nesses. Vaccine roll-out Abela also added that yes- terday, 14,000 Pfizer vaccines arrived on the island and the government has green-lit the purchase of another 80,000 dos- es of the Moderna vaccine. Health Minister Chris Fearne said that enforcement led to more than 8,000 fines. Fearne said one of the reasons for the new restrictions was be- cause a number of restaurants were still operating like bars. Fearne said the message was clear, "you go to restaurants to eat, not to drink," he said. Abela dismissed claims that there was a lack of enforcement on restaurants. He said that the rules that were in place previ- ously made it possible for a per- son to "finish a meal and then stay on to have a drink." He said that Malta was still much better off than other countries. Fearne said that the health au- thorities also noticed that what could not happen outdoors was now taking place inside. is was referring to people renting accommodation in Gozo. He said that licenses are there to be adhered to. Farmhouses should not have more people than list- ed. Superintendent of Public Health, Charmaine Gauci add- ed that the measures were based on lessons learned after a spike caused by gatherings during the Christmas period. Earlier yesterday, the Health Department said that three deaths from COVID-19 were registered overnight on Tues- day, bringing the death toll to 258 since the start of the pan- demic in March last year. e health authorities record- ed 193 new cases of coronavirus and 148 recoveries. ere are 2,682 active cases of COVID-19. 'Things like carnival should not distract us from fight against pandemic' Prime Minister Robert Abela

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