A second round of consumer vouchers to stimulate the local economy may be delayed to ensure bars, clubs and other venues closed due to COVID-19 measures are able to benefit, the Economy Ministry indicated on Monday. 

The vouchers, totalling €100 and given to all Maltese residents over 16, were meant to be issued this month. 

In a statement, the ministry said all preparations for the voucher are complete but that it was consulting with health authorities and other stakeholders to discuss when the vouchers would be most beneficial to the local economy.  

"The aim of the vouchers is to stimulate the economy with an injection of €45 million that will generate business and improve quality of life," minister Silvio Schembri said.  

He said the vouchers would therefore be issued once the consultations are completed and when bars and clubs are reopened so that they too could benefit. Bars and clubs are currently closed until February 1. 

The ministry said the technological aspects of the scheme have been upgraded. Businesses which have already used the app will be able to use it once more, without change. 

Those persons having an expired ID card or need to renew their residence permit need to do so immediately.  

The first round of vouchers was announced in June as part of the government’s COVID-19 recovery measures with the vouchers, also totalling €100, remaining valid till October. 

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