Malta: Authorities to tighten COVID-19-related restrictions from March 5 /update 15

Event

Measures imposed to limit the spread of COVID-19 will be tightened in Malta from March 5 until at least April 11. Under the new measures, restaurants and other catering facilities, as well as small nonessential shops, will be closed; takeaways will be permitted. All nonemergency hospital visits are suspended. Contact sports are prohibited for those under the age of 16. Mass gatherings are banned, except for cultural or religious gatherings, which are limited to 100 participants.

A number of other domestic restrictions remain in effect. All bars and clubs remain closed. Most businesses and facilities can operate provided they implement strict hygiene and social distancing measures. Facemasks are mandatory in all outdoor and enclosed public spaces nationwide.

International Entry Restrictions
Authorities are maintaining international entry restrictions as of March 4. Under most circumstances, international travelers from so-called "safe corridor countries" can enter Malta. As of the most recent update Feb. 13, the corridor countries include:

• Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, and Vatican City.

The government classifies some of these locations as "amber" or medium-risk areas. All passengers arriving from such countries must present a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result for COVID-19 taken no more than 72 hours before arrival; passengers arriving from other corridor countries can enter without any restrictions. As of Feb. 13, amber countries included:

• Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy (all airports except those in Sicily and Sardinia), Japan, Jordan, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal (all airports except Madeira and Azores), Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (all airports except those in the Canary Islands), Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay, and Vatican City.

Officials designate all other countries as "red" or high-risk locations. Travelers from these locations must spend at least 14 days in a designated safe corridor country before entering Malta.

Tighter entry restrictions remain in effect for travelers from the UK, Brazil, and South Africa as part of Malta's response to the discovery of new strains of COVID-19 in those countries. Authorities prohibit unauthorized travelers from these countries who are not Maltese citizens or permanent residents from entering Malta; all permitted travelers arriving from these countries must submit to a PCR test upon arrival and self-isolate for 14 days taking a second COVID-19 test on days 5-7 of self-isolation. Non-Maltese nationals traveling from these countries for essential purposes must obtain permission to enter Malta.

All restrictions are subject to amendment at short notice in response to government reviews and may receive updates or extensions in the coming days.

Advice

Confirm all travel plans and business appointments. Follow all official directives. Abide by national health and safety measures. Carry proper identification and other necessary travel documents to present at security checks; remain polite and nonconfrontational with border officials. Maintain contact with diplomatic representations. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Consider delaying travel if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19.

Resources

Malta Government COVID-19 Landing Page
List of Corridor Countries
World Health Organization (WHO)
Public Health Travel Declaration and Passenger Locator Forms