Opposition quizzes CM on ‘serious concerns’ over framework agreement, hopes for ‘safe and beneficial’ deal

Covid deaths almost double in a week, with five more confirmed

15th January 2021

The Gibraltar Government has confirmed the Covid-19 related deaths of five more local residents, with deaths almost doubling in less than a week. Some 14 of the 30 Covid-19 registered in Gibraltar to date have taken place since Monday this week. Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said the loss of so many to Covid-19 in such...

Lockdown restrictions likely until end of January, Picardo tells Parliament

15th January 2021

Lockdown restrictions in Gibraltar have been extended for another week, Chief Minister Fabian Picardo announced in Parliament on Friday, as he warned the measures would likely be in place until the end of the month. Mr Picardo’s statement came as the Covid-19 death toll in Gibraltar increased to 30, with another five deaths confirmed on...

Businesses hail ‘life-saving’ Supreme Court insurance claim ruling

15th January 2021

Small business owners in the UK have hailed as a “life-saver” a Supreme Court ruling paving the way to insurance payouts on claims for coronavirus-related disruption, a decision that will also benefit insured businesses in Gibraltar. The Supreme Court ruled largely in favour of an appeal by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) following “widespread concern”...

GSD urges ‘prioritised and targeted’ spending after Sir Joe’s warning on public finances

15th January 2021

The GSD has urged the Gibraltar Government to ensure public spending is “prioritised and targeted” after Sir Joe Bossano said Gibraltar was no longer “financially stable.” Sir Joe was given ministerial responsibility for financial stability earlier this week and made his comment during a GBC interview following his appointment. The comments were “alarming yet unsurprising”...

EMA ‘hopeful’ Oxford/AstraZeneca jab will be given EU green light this month

15th January 2021

By Michelle Devane, PA The head of the EU medicines regulator has said that she is “hopeful” that the Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine will be given European approval at the end of the month. But Emer Cooke, executive director of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), warned it was “challenging” and “things can go wrong”. The makers...

Imams to use Friday prayers to dispel Covid-19 vaccine myths

15th January 2021

By Dave Higgens, PA Around 100 mosques are using Friday prayers to raise coronavirus awareness and dispel myths around vaccinations. The campaign, run by the Mosque and Imams National Advisory Board (MINAB), will also include Imams and community leaders filming themselves being vaccinated to reassure communities the jabs are permissible and vital to defeat the...

One Brazilian coronavirus variant detected in UK before travel ban – virologist

15th January 2021

By Sam Blewett, Nina Massey and Shaun Connolly, PA One of two Brazilian coronavirus variants was detected in the UK ahead of ministers banning the arrival of travellers from South America to limit the spread of a concerning new strain, a leading virologist has said. Professor Wendy Barclay, who is advising the Government’s Covid-19 response,...

Snow and ice warning in place for much of England and Scotland this weekend

15th January 2021

By Trevor Marshallsea and Mike Bedigan, PA A snow and ice warning has been issued for much of Scotland and parts of England for the weekend as the cold weather threatens travel. Efforts to press on with the vaccine rollout and treatment continued despite the bad weather, with Leeds University delaying the opening of its...