Malta holidays: Airport fights back over Malta’s travel rules - ‘unnecessary’
MALTA'S new vaccination travel restrictions have angered the country's airport officials. Malta is due to tighten its travel restrictions.
Johnson confirms new travel rules in England from January 7
Malta is set to introduce an expiration date on vaccination this January. The Government is planning to make a second dose certificate expire after just three months.
The new travel rule is due to be introduced on January 17 as the country looks to combat rising cases.
The EU has recommended that second doses should expire after nine months but Malta wants to introduce a three month expiry rule.
The proposed plan has angered the country’s airport officials who have said the rule is “unnecessary”.
A statement from the airport said: “Given that Malta is the only member state which has shortened the validity period of COVID-19 vaccination certificates, the Superintendent of Public Health has imposed an unnecessary hurdle for Maltese residents to travel, together with undermining consumer confidence for the tourism industry during this already very challenging winter period.
"We urge the health authorities to halt the introduction of further unnecessary and haphazard travel restrictions, which go against the spirit of the European Union to facilitate free movement across all European Member States."
Schengen Visa info reports that Malta recorded 6,136 cases of coronavirus in the last seven days.
There were nine deaths from Covid in the same period while Malta has lost 488 residents to the virus since the pandemic began.
British tourists must demonstrate proof of being fully vaccinated to enter Malta currently.
The rule applies to all Britons over the age of 12 while children aged five to 11 can travel with a vaccinated parent or legal guardian.
They must also have a negative PCR test result taken within the last 72 hours to enter.
Malta is a popular tourist destination for British travellers and around 500,000 visited every year before the pandemic.
The country experiences mild winters making it a great destination for Britons at all times of year.
Many tourists visit Malta’s romantic capital city, Valletta, which is packed with interesting attractions.
Those looking for beaches often venture to the Maltese island of Gozo which has calm waters for swimming.
History buffs will have plenty to explore in Malta. An UNESCO World Heritage site, the Hal Salflieni Hypogeum is an underground Neolithic cemetery.
Tourists can also visit the Tarxien Temples, one of the best preserved prehistoric sites in Malta.
It is mandatory to wear a facemask in Malta and tourists must wear one inside and outdoors.
There is currently a limit of six people per table at restaurants in Malta and social distancing is encouraged.
British tourists must take a lateral flow test on or before day two after arrival in the UK.
They must book a test from a Government approved provider and cannot use an NHS test for travel purposes.