Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela has declared he is confident Malta will be the first country to recover economically from the Covid-19 pandemic. He made this statement during a telephone interview shortly after the first Covid-19 vaccination was administered in Malta. Dr Abela added that while people’s health is being safeguarded, the country will start on the road to recovery. He explained how the last months involved relentless work for the Government as hard decisions were taken.
The Prime Minister declared that the first vaccination signifies the start of the road back to normality, adding that the vaccine will help so that Malta will be among the first countries to recover economically from Covid. Dr Abela described yesterday as an emotional day for him, not least with the arrival of the vaccines which, he said brought with them hope and courage for all Maltese and Gozitans. He explained that because of the pandemic, during the first two months of his leadership the Government had to take major decisions including closing down the airport, which had meant shutting down one-third of the Maltese economy, and at the same time referred to how the wages supplement had helped to avoid the loss of thousands of jobs and the closure of businesses.
The Prime Minister attributed this to the strategy adopted by the Government, with measures which he said had been worked out for the country to continue working. Dr Abela noted the difference between the restrictions in place in Malta and the much stricter measures being taken by European countries where no one was allowed to leave their homes during these days of Christmas, except for urgent reasons. Dr Abela further stated that the people should remain prudent and should continue following the advice of the health authorities, whilst reiterating the Government’s position to continue to provide support for Maltese and Gozitan families and businesses.
Photo and reporting from TVM News
