The government is set to announce a new set of measures aimed to assist employers and businesses to tackle the economic effects of the Coronavirus spread.

With airports shut and no tourists flying in, all entertainment outlets closed and several businesses facing tough times, the government will this evening publish the second list of measures to sustain a wide array of sectors hit hard by the crisis.

The first set of measures, announced last week, were received with criticism by the stakeholders as they were deemed too weak in the wake of the difficulties being faced. Employers and small businesses have since requested a stronger government intervention, saying that otherwise the country would be facing an unprecedented rise in unemployment.

The government has had a string of meetings with many stakeholders in the past days, and the new measures are to be announced publicly tonight.

The Cabinet of Ministers is known to have discussed the prevailing situation at length. On Sunday, The Malta Independent reported that Economy Minister Silvio Schembri proposed a new package worth twice as much as the measures announced by government last week.

On Wednesday, Abela announced a €1.8 billion package aimed at safeguarding businesses and jobs. The measures, however, were criticised by the Opposition and the business sector, who said that only around €200 million are in the form of direct assistance.