Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1392413
5 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 14 JULY 2021 NICOLE MEILAK EUROPEAN Commissioner Thierry Breton has suggested that the government could end up adapting a recent decision to ban unvaccinated travellers from entering Malta, so as to make sure that any restrictions are non-discriminatory. "Each state has its own situa- tion," he said, adding that deci- sions taken on the issue are sub- ject to government's discretion. Breton was yesterday in Malta to meet Prime Minister Robert Abela and a delegation of minis- ters that included Silvio Schem- bri, Miriam Dalli, and head of secretariat Glenn Micallef. Breton suggested that alterna- tive measures could be adopted by Malta to ensure unvaccinated travellers are not discriminated against. It is understood that one of these measures could be the use of mandatory quarantine pe- riods for unvaccinated travellers. He remarked that Brussels' in- itial understanding of the travel ban was that Malta would fully restrict unvaccinated travellers from the country, but that gov- ernment has since made their intention clear on the issue. "I am confident that govern- ment will be able to adapt this decision," he said. Having been tasked with the EU's vaccination task force, Bre- ton visited Malta to congratulate government for its successful vaccination drive. In fact, he had pledged to visit the most vaccinated country by mid-July. He was particularly impressed by Malta having managed to vaccinate 81% of the adult pop- ulation, far exceeding the 70% herd immunity goal. Discussions with Abela large- ly centred around the hotel and pharmaceutical industries, as well as Malta's vaccination cam- paign. Brussels 'confident' Malta will adjust unvaccinated travel ban Thierry Breton has suggested that Malta could end up adapting a recent decision to ban unvaccinated travellers from entering Malta, so as to make sure that any restrictions are non- discriminatory KARL AZZOPARDI AN Erasmus student who was told to pay a €1,200 bill for stay- ing at a 'quarantine hotel' will not be paying the bill, the Malta Tourism Authority has said. The student, Enora Besnier, was due to return to France af- ter six months studying in Mal- ta, when she tested positive for COVID-19. She was due to return to France on 10 July, but tested positive on the 6 July. With the rental contract for her apartment expiring, she was advised to quarantine at a hotel, and was faced with the €1,200 bill. After calling a COVID help- line, she was taken to the Ma- rina Hotel in St George's Bay. "So, they drop you off here, and then I learn by calling the hotel reception that the quarantine is on us. Is this normal?" she asked. "I don't have the money to pay €100 a night for my quarantine." The MTA clarified that she will not be paying for her stay, but only for food and beverage, "as is always the case in such cases." "As a matter of fact, the MTA is covering the accommodation expenses in the quarantine hotel for those who have followed all the procedures to enter Malta," it said in a statement. "This is also done in accordance with the Legal Notice which was published, which clearly states that only those that have entered Malta with the incorrect pro- cedure are placed in preventive quarantine, which they have to pay for themselves." Erasmus student will not foot €1,200 hotel quarantine bill Erasmus student taken to Paceville hotel for quarantine days before France return was facing a €1,200 bill for stay THE European Commission has received Malta's official recovery and resilience plan, in a first step that will allow government to tap into the EU's €800 billion Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). In its plan, Malta requested a total of €316.4 million in grants under the RRF. The plan covers six areas, includ- ing sustainable transport, circular economy, clean en- ergy and energy-efficiency in buildings, digital transforma- tion of the public adminis- tration and the legal system, projects targeting the health and education sectors, as well as institutional reforms. Before the grants can be disbursed, the Commission must assess Malta's plan in accordance with the eleven criteria set out in the Reg- ulation. It will also review whether the plan presented addresses all or a significant subset of challenges iden- tified in the relevant coun- try-specific recommenda- tions. It will also assess whether the plan dedicates at least 37% of expenditure to cli- mate-friendly investments, and 20% of expenditure to the digital transition. European Commission receives Malta's recovery and resilience plan