The press conference during which the government announced the second set of Covid-19 economic measures cost almost €13,000, Prime Minister Robert Abela told Parliament.

The 24 March press conference was held at the Excelsior Hotel in Floriana. The PM had been flanked by representatives of the social partners for the event.

Replying to a Parliamentary Question by PN MP Jason Azzopardi, Abela said the event cost €12,693.82 (excluding VAT).

Abela said that, during that press conference, the government had announced revised measures to help the economy at a time when the country was facing the worst crisis since the Second World War.

The measures included tax deferrals and grants for employee salaries. These would cost between €65 million and €70 million every month.

The government could announce other measures if needed, Abela said. 

In a Facebook post, Azzopardi pointed out that Abela had announced he would renounce a months' salary during a press conference that cost almost €13,000.