Morning Briefing
More than 2,000 fined for wrongful waste disposal
The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) issued over 2,000 fines and warnings last year for waste disposal violations, including rubbish left out on the wrong day or not being properly separated. A total of 1,073 fines were handed out for household waste placed outside on incorrect days, while approximately 1,014 warnings were issued for failing to separate waste correctly into recycling, organic, and black bag categories. ERA reported an increase in fines compared to previous years, attributing this to the “effectiveness of the risk-based approach” it has adopted for waste enforcement. Additionally, 135 fines were issued for improper waste transport by vehicles, 12 for illegal dumping, and 15 for unlawful waste incineration. ERA noted that these figures exclude other environmental enforcement actions by the authority, as well as similar fines issued by LESA and the police. (Times of Malta)
14% rise in tourist stays in Q4 – NSO
During the last three months of 2024, collective accommodation establishments in Malta saw a significant increase in both guests and overnight stays. A total of 626,884 guests were recorded, marking a 14.5% rise compared to the same period in 2023. Guest nights reached 2,667,363, up by 16.5%. The majority of guest nights, 50.4%, were spent in 4-star hotels. Additionally, the net use of bed-places rose by 3.9 percentage points, reaching 59.0%, highlighting improved occupancy rates. (NSO)
Private hospital fined 80k for laser eye failure
Da Vinci Health Care Limited has been ordered to pay €79,727 in damages to a patient who underwent a laser eye surgery. The woman initiated legal proceedings against both the hospital and the doctor who carried out the procedure.In July 2017, she underwent a LASIK eye surgery that was unsuccessful, resulting in microbial keratitis and requiring treatment abroad. The surgery also led to permanent physical impairment, affecting both her life and psychological wellbeing. Additionally, it negatively impacted her marriage, ultimately leading to personal separation. The woman claimed that the harm she suffered was due to negligence and argued that the defendants should be held accountable for the damages. (Newsbook)