“We urgently need to step up mechanisms to match people who have lost their jobs to the new jobs emerging as the COVID-19 pandemic has hit Malta – naturally while containing the risk of infection,” commented Dr Maire Briguglio, an environmental economist and a full-time academic focusing on sustainable economic practices.

"Home cleaners are of their jobs. Yet many places need regular sanitizing. Waiters are out of a job. Yet many businesses need delivery. English teachers are out of a job – yet many could tuition.

“The streets are empty – this may be a perfect for infrastructural maintenance work”.

Dr Briguglio was commenting in the wake of Malta registering 19 new cases of the Coronavirus, bringing the total to 129 cases. There is currently an air travel ban in place and restrictions on businesses across sectors.

Prime Minister Robert Abela announced a third wave of financial measures, this time aimed at subsidising wages for workers in a list of the most critically impacted sector.

“Once the health systems are in place and social contagion strategies have been rolled out, the key priority becomes saving jobs.

“Losing a job is hugely problematic for the individual, not just financially but even psychologically, sometimes with irreversible scarring effects. It is also a big problem for the economy as it sends the system into contraction with multiplier effects – job losses lead to more job losses,” argued Dr Briguglio.

Dr Briguglio is in fact working on research about people's well-being amid the massive disruptions being caused by the pandemic. To take part in her survey, click here.

“Wherever possible, however possible within the constraints of avoiding contact, jobs should be saved and Government should generously albeit judiciously employ the resources in Malta’s “war chest” (which should be thriving following years of growth and sales of assets).

“Better still, jobs should be created,” she added, highlighting the opportunities to rebuild roads and other works while people remain indoors. “Malta’s workforce has a reputation for adaptation and flexibility,” she said.