Government Notices published in Govt Gazette No 20,374 of 25 March 2020

IT is notified for general information that the following Act is published in the Supplement to this Gazette:

Act No. X of 2020 entitled the Public Health (Amendment) Act, 2020.

Additional Unemployment Benefit to Persons who Due to the Impact of Covid-19 Lose their Job in the Private Sector

The Minister for the Family, Children's Rights and Social Solidarity is introducing a scheme with the aim of paying an Additional Unemployment Benefit to persons who, due to the impact of Covid-19, lose their job in the private sector after 8th March, 2020.

1) Definitions

In this scheme, unless the context requires otherwise:

“Act" means the Social Security Act (Cap. 318) of the Laws of Malta;

“Department" means the Department of Social Security;

“Director" means the Director General responsible for the Department of Social Security;

“Minister" means the Minister responsible for the Family, Children's Rights and Social Solidarity.

2) Who is eligible for this Scheme

A person who:

a. was working full-time or part-time in the private sector and became unemployed after the 8th March, 2020; and

b. is registering for work under the Part I register with Jobsplus; and

c. acquires the right for the payment of the Contributory Unemployment Benefit in accordance with the provisions of Article 30 of the Social Security Act (Cap. 318).

3) How to acquire the right for this Scheme

The benefit is payable subject to:

a. the provision of a document from the employer to Jobsplus confirming the termination of employment; and

b. the documentary evidence is confirmed by Jobsplus; and

c. such person is placed under Part I of the Unemployment Register held by Jobsplus.

4) What this Scheme consists of

This scheme consists of the following:

a. A person who was in full-time employment and is eligible, is paid Additional Unemployment Benefit and Unemployment Benefit (as explained in Part 2c) with the total of both payments amounting to €166.15 weekly.

b. A person who was in part-time employment and is eligible, is paid Additional Unemployment Benefit and Unemployment Benefit (as explained in Part 2c) with the total of both payments amounting to €103.85 weekly.

c. The Social Security Contribution is paid and the contributory pension rights are safeguarded during the duration of the payment of this benefit.

d. The rate of eligible Children's Allowance beneficiaries paid under the Act shall be adjusted to take into consideration the new income earned and may increase accordingly.

e. Beneficiaries of the In Work Benefit paid by the Department will continue to receive it without deductions.

f. The rate of eligible Supplementary Allowance beneficiaries paid under the Act shall be adjusted to take into consideration the new income earned and may increase accordingly.

g. The payment is made to an eligible person by means of a direct credit in applicant's bank account on a weekly basis.

5) Provision of false information and non-compliance with the provisions of the Social Security Act (Cap. 318)

If a person:

a. provides false information or fails to report to the Director any change in circumstances; or

b. fails to comply with the provisions of the Act or with the provisions of this scheme, from the beneficiary and/or the employer, with the aim of one fraudulently obtaining or continuing to obtain this assistance,

the provisions of Part X of the Act shall be applicable.

6) Duration of the Scheme

This scheme is applicable with effect from 9th March, 2020, and shall remain in force until such date as the Minister may prescribe in the Government Gazette.

7) Amendments to the Scheme

The Minister may effect any necessary amendments to this scheme by publishing the said amendments in the Government Gazette.

A Benefit for Employed Parents with ChildrenUnder 16 who Due to the Impact ofCovid-19 Cannot Go to Work to Take Care of their Children

The Minister for the Family, Children's Rights and Social Solidarity is introducing a scheme with the aim of paying a benefit to parents employed in the private sector*, with children under 16 years of age, who are not able to work from home and who, due to the impact of COVID-19 after 8th March, 2020, cannot go to work to take care of their children.

*Does not include employees working with private companies who work or provide a service in a Government department or entity.

1) Definitions

In this scheme, unless the context requires otherwise:

“Act" means the Social Security Act (Cap. 318) of the Laws of Malta;

“Department" means the Department of Social Security;

“Director" means the Director General responsible for the Department of Social Security;

“Minister" means the Minister responsible for the Family, Children's Rights and Social Solidarity.

2) Who is eligible for this Scheme

A parent of children under 16, who is married, in a Civil Union or co-habitating in accordance with the Laws of Malta, where both members of the couple are in employment or a single parent of children under 16 who:

a. is working full-time or part-time in the private sector; and

b. cannot work from home; and

c. is not attending work to take care of his/her children after 8th March, 2020.

3) How to acquire the right for this Scheme

The benefit is payable subject to the submission of an application through the website (socialsecurity.gov.mt).

4) What this Scheme consists of

This scheme consists of the following:

a. A person who was in full-time employment and is eligible, is paid €166.15 on a weekly basis.

b. A person who was in part-time employment and is eligible, is paid €103.85 on a weekly basis.

c. The Social Security Contribution will be paid and contributory pension rights are safeguarded during the duration of the payment of this benefit.

d. The rate of Children's Allowance paid under the Act shall be adjusted to take into consideration the new income earned and may increase accordingly.

e. Beneficiaries of the In Work Benefit paid by the Department will continue to receive it without deductions.

f. Beneficiaries of the Tapering of Benefits paid by the Department will continue to receive it without deductions.

g. The payment is made to an eligible person by means of a direct credit in applicant's bank account on a weekly basis.

5) Provision of false information and non-compliance with the provisions of the Social Security Act (Cap. 318)

If a person:

a. provides false information or fails to report to the Director any change in circumstances; or

b. fails to comply with the provisions of the Act or with the provisions of this scheme, from the beneficiary and/or the employer, with the aim of one fraudulently obtaining or continuing to obtain this assistance,

the provisions of Part X of the Act shall be applicable.

6) Duration of the Scheme

This scheme is applicable with effect from 9th March, 2020, and shall remain in force until such date as the Minister may prescribe in the Government Gazette.

7) Amendments to the Scheme

The Minister may effect any necessary amendments to this scheme by publishing the said amendments in the Government Gazette.

A Benefit for Employed Persons with a Disability Who Due to the Impact of Covid-19 Cannot Go to Work and are Adivised to Stay at Home

The Minister for the Family, Children's Rights and Social Solidarity is introducing a scheme with the aim of paying a benefit to persons with a disability, employed in the private sector, who after 8th March, 2020, due to the impact of COVID-19, cannot go to work on medical advice and are not able to work from home.

1) Definitions

In this scheme, unless the context requires otherwise:

“Act" means the Social Security Act (Cap. 318) of the Laws of Malta;

“Director" means the Director General responsible for the Department of Social Security;

“Minister" means the Minister responsible for the Family, Children's Rights and Social Solidarity.

2) Who is eligible for this Scheme

A person who:

a. is registered with Jobsplus as a person with disability and is in possession of a Special ID Card or EU Disability Card issued by the Commission of the Rights of Persons with Disability; and

b. is working full-time or part-time in the private sector; and

c. cannot work from home; and

d. is medically advised to stay at home after 8th March, 2020.

3) How to acquire the right for this Scheme

The benefit is payable subject to:

a. the submission of an application through the website (socialsecurity.gov.mt); and

b. the provision of the Special ID Card No. or EU Disability Card No. issued by the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability.

4) What this Scheme consists of

This scheme consists of the following:

a. A person who was in full-time employment and is eligible, is paid €166.15 on a weekly basis.

b. A person who was in part-time employment and is eligible, is paid €103.85 on a weekly basis.

c. The Social Security Contribution is paid and the contributory pension rights are safeguarded during the duration of the payment of this benefit.

d. Beneficiaries of any of the Disability Assistances paid under the Act will continue to receive such assistance without deductions.

e. The payment is made to an eligible person by means of a direct credit in applicant's bank account on a weekly basis.

5) Provision of false information and non-compliance with the provisions of the Social Security Act (Cap. 318)

If a person:

a. provides false information or fails to report to the Director any change in circumstances; or

b. fails to comply with the provisions of the Act or with the provisions of this scheme, from the beneficiary and/or the employer, with the aim of one fraudulently obtaining or continuing to obtain this assistance,

the provisions of Part X of the Act shall be applicable.

6) Duration of the Scheme

This scheme is applicable with effect from 9th March, 2020, and shall remain in force until such date as the Minister may prescribe in the Government Gazette.

7) Amendments to the Scheme

The Minister may effect any necessary amendments to this scheme by publishing the said amendments in the Government Gazette.

Travel Ban Order, 2020

IN terms of Article 2 (1) of the Public Health Act (Cap. 465), Travel Ban Order, 2020 (L.N. 42 of 2020), the Superintendent of Public Health hereby orders that a travel ban on persons to the countries mentioned in the following list is being suspended as the travel of certain persons is deemed to be essential: