A team of six military medics from British Forces Gibraltar has been working alongside staff from the Elderly Residential Services (ERS) at the Mount Alvernia site in response to the wider COVID-19 pandemic.
Lieutenant Commander Mark Chambers Royal Navy, HQBF Gibratar’s Medical Staff Officer commented,“This military aid to civil authorities (MACA) task was well planned and delivered here in Gibraltar. Our team members, who were fresh, enthusiastic, capable and cheerful, were very well received and enormously valued by the residents and staff alike.
Hopefully we have made a genuine difference and it’s good to know the team has been able to play a small part in the amazing efforts in the ERS which has seen the numbers of residents with COVID 19 drop significantly.”
National Trails Act
The Gibraltar Heritage Trust has welcomed the newly published National Trails Act.
Many paths in and around Upper Rock are protected already, but the scope of the new Act allows for many more areas that were formally under Ministry of Defence control to be listed.
A spokesperson added, “The protection of these footpaths and throughways under this legislation means that these open spaces will be protected as such for the future ensuring that the wildlife, heritage assets, views and landscapes are protected into the future. It has been particularly poignant that this Act has been passed at a time in our history when open areas and walking routes are such an important part of our lockdown routines and recreational space.”
The Gibraltar Heritage Trust has welcomed the newly published National Trails Act.
COVID Vaccine Update
By close to the end of February, a total of 34,600 COVID-19 vaccines had been administered in Gibraltar.
This is a phenomenal achievement and everyone at Insight applauds all involved in #OperationFreedom. Thank you.
The great progress now allows the GHA to encourage those over 40 to get in touch. Anyone over this age who has not yet been invited for vaccination and who has not previously registered with the GHA online database, is encouraged to do so using the online form:
www.gha.gi/registration-for-over-40s/
or call 20066966.
In terms of the deployment itself, Gibraltar remains committed to rolling out predominately the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. A small number of the Oxford- AstraZeneca doses have been received by the GHA, but these have been allocated to individuals whose specific medical circumstances has meant they’re more suited to this version of the vaccine.
Minister for Health, the Hon Samantha Sacramento, said, “Our incredibly successful vaccination programme has delivered first doses of the Pfizer vaccine to almost two thirds of the population of Gibraltar with little side effects and an impressive level of protection.
I feel very optimistic that we can now slowly but safely unlock our community and our health services due to the programme and the level of uptake from the community. We will continue to offer the Pfizer vaccine only, except in very select clinically assessed individuals.”
“I am extremely pleased at the pace of our extremely successful the vaccine programme against COVID-19 and I’d like to thank everyone who continue to work extremely hard every day to inoculate as many people in our community as quickly as possible.”
The Gibraltar Honours Board (GHB), under the Chairmanship of the Governor, will meet in the coming months to consider nominations for The Queen’s New Year Honours List 2022; and The Gibraltar Award, which is awarded by the GHB and announced coincident with The Queen’s New Year Honours 2022.
Nominations should be submitted to recognise those people, from any section of the Gibraltarian Community, which have made an exceptional contribution or given exceptional service in the progression of either the well-being, achievement or reputation of Gibraltar.
Nominations should be submitted on a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Nomination Proforma for the attention of:
The GHB Secretary
Office of the Governor
The Convent
Main Street
Gibraltar GX11 1AA.
Nominations can be submitted by anyone. A copy of the FCDO Nomination Proforma, along with detailed guidance on its completion, is available from The Convent entrance in Main Street or from the GHB Secretary at enquiry.gibraltar@fco.gov.uk
Up to two letters of endorsement from those with a personal knowledge of the nominee’s contribution or service should support nominations.
Nominations will be considered by the GHB for the following Honours – albeit nominations should not recommend someone for a specific award as this is decided by the GHB:
Companion of Saint Michael and Saint George (CMG) and Commander of the British Empire (CBE).
Awarded for having made a most prominent, distinguished and decisive contribution/service up to international level within a certain field or discipline; a contribution/service that has led to the enhancement of life/outcomes for the Gibraltarian community up to international level.
Officer of the British Empire (OBE).
Awarded for having made a most prominent, distinguished and decisive contribution/service at national level within a certain field or discipline; a contribution/service that has led to an all-encompassing enhancement of life/outcomes for the Gibraltarian community.
Member of the British Empire (MBE).
Awarded for having made a most distinguished and decisive contribution/service at local level within a certain field or for discipline; a contribution/service that has led to the enhancement of life/outcomes for the Gibraltarian community.
British Empire Medal (BEM).
Awarded for a most distinguished and decisive hands-on contribution/service at a local level within a certain field or discipline; a contribution/service that has led to the enhancement of life/outcomes for the Gibraltarian community.
Gibraltar Award (GA).
Awarded for a most distinguished and decisive hands-on contribution/service at a local level within a certain field or discipline; a contribution/service that has led to the enhancement of life/outcomes for the Gibraltarian community.
