Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1476751
3 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 21 AUGUST 2022 Greece and Sicily holidays for PM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Given that Abela has re- mained in charge despite be- ing on vacation, MaltaToday asked whether the Prime Min- ister was holding regular online meetings with his ministers but received no reply. This remote handling of gov- ernment matters during the summer has been somewhat of an Abela trademark. Abela was in the line of fire back in August 2020 when Malta experienced a week-long spike in COVID-19 cases at a time when the PM was holiday- ing in Ragusa, Sicily. The Prime Minister eventual- ly broke off his holiday to give an interview on ONE TV and meet the health authorities to draft new restrictions, before heading out to Sicily again. Abela had said at the time that he was teleworking from Sicily and keeping constant contact with the Cabinet. Maximum R&R: Abela's love for boating is well known CONTINUED FORM PAGE 1 Moreover, any sound emitted has to be directed towards the activity. The rules also apply to sites outside Special Areas of Conser- vation, namely the northern and eastern coast of Gozo including Ħondoq ir-Rummien, Xwejni and Qbajjar, Daħlet Qorrot and the Red Tower area in Mellieħa. The rules are applicable to "gathering events such as mu- sic concerts, parties, barbecues, weddings, and sport events." The organisers of such events will now have to notify the ERA of any such activities at least 15 days before the event and in some cases the ERA may even require organisers to apply for a nature permit which may re- quire monitoring. Uplighters and the light- ing of natural habitats, ma- rine environment and cliffs is strictly prohibited as is the lighting of ancillary access roads, tracks and paths and any other lighting beyond the site boundary. Lighting should also be of low-inten- sity, 'warm light' colour, with a temperature not exceeding 3,000K. Off-roading, including that for the parking of vehicles, is also banned. No fireworks are allowed unless specifically allowed by the Authority. No fires can be lit directly on the sand, soil or rock. This means that any fire must be safely contained within a met- al structure. No fires are to be lit within vegetated areas or within 5m from the spread of branches of existing trees and shrubs. And ash from barbe- cues has to be disposed of in appropriate metal containers or otherwise taken off site for disposal. Moreover any structures and ancillary services like sanitary facilities, have to be removed within not more than 24 hours of the activity. Comino is already a contested site between environmentalists and businesses who want to keep fillling the Natura 2000 site with tourists and boat parties at night Environmental Noise dBA Jet engine at 100' 140 Pain Begins 125 Pneumatic chipper at ear 120 Chain saw at 3' 110 Power mower 107 Subway train at 200' 95 Walkman on 5/10 94 Level at which sustained exposure may result in hearing loss 80-90 City Traffic 85 Telephone dial tone 80 Chamber music, in a small auditorium 75-85 Vacuum cleaner 75 Normal conversation 60-70 Business Office 60-65 Household refrigerator 55 Suburban area at night 40 Whisper 25 Quiet natural area with no wind 20 ERA limits noise in Natura 2000 sites and now requires prior notice for activities