covid

Measures taken by Maltese authorities in relation to Covid-19 : Travel Ban

by , on Apr 14, 2022 08:00:35 AM

The requirements set forth were released by the Maltese authorities within the Public Health Act, Chapter 465 of the Laws of Malta. Subsequently, such requirements must be applied and adhered to consistently. Failure to comply with these criteria will result in the Act’s enforcement processes.  

Boarding Requirements 

As per LN 113 of 2022 Travel Ban, individuals aged 18 and above may travel to Malta if they hold a valid vaccination certificate proving that they have been completely vaccinated against Covid-19. A valid certificate is one where at least 14 days, and no more than 270 days, have passed since the last dose of the primary vaccination series or if the individual has received a booster dose. Such validity period is not applicable for individuals aged less than 18 years of age. A vaccination certificate shall only be deemed as valid and subsequently accepted, if issued in the official form, and in terms of a vaccine recognised and endorsed by the Superintendent of Public Health. 

Proof of Vaccination

Malta accepts Vaccine Certificates for :

  • COVID-19 vaccines which have been granted a marketing authorisation pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 726/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council 
  • Vaccines having completed the emergency listing procedure of the World Health Organisation (WHO) as long as these are supplemented by a vlid proof of a negative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PT-PCR) test obtained no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. 

Types of Vaccine Certificates Accepted : 

  1. EU Digital COVID certificate (EUDCC)
  2. Vaccine certificate having been recognised as equivalent to EU Digital COVID certificate based on EU equivalence decisions issued by the European Commission
  3. Vaccine certificates as hereunder

List of Approved Vaccine Certificates

  • MT Vaccine Certificate – Full course of vaccination with 14 days following last dose.
  • England’s NHS COVID Pass – NHS Coronavirus vaccination record – Full course of vaccination with 14 days following last dose. 
  • EU Digital COVID Certificate – Full course of vaccination with 14 days following last dose. 
  • Dubai Health Authority Vaccine Certificate – Two doses received with 14 days following last dose. 
  • Turkish Vaccine Certificate – Two doses received with 14 days following from last dose. 
  • USA CDC record card – Full course of vaccination with 14 days following last dose. 

– The Serbian Digital Green Certificate with a readable QR Code

– The Gibraltar, Jersey and Guernsey vaccination certificate

– The Covid-19 vaccination issued by the Ministry of Public Health, Doha, Qatar

– The Albanian Digital Covid Certificate

– The Australian COVID-19 Digital Certificate as verified through Medicare Express Plus App

– The Arab Republic of Egypt COVID-19 vaccine certificate

– The Lebaneses COVID-19 vaccination record card

– The Canadian COVID-19 Provincial Immunisation Records – full course and 14 days after last dose, as verified by Verifly app

– The Ministry of Health, Singapore Vaccination Certificate

– The State of Kuwait Ministry of Health SARS-COV-2 Vaccination Certificate 

– The Saudi Arabia vaccine certificate issued by sehhaty.sa

– The Malaysian COVID-19 Digital certificate verifid through MySehatara App

– The Republic of Rwanda – covid19 vaccination certificate issued by Rwanda Biomedical centre

– The Republic of Kosovo Ministry of Health Vaccination Card for COVID-19

– The Palestinian Ministry of Health Vaccination Certificate

– The Kingdom of Bahrain Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccination Certificate

– The Government of Bermuda Ministry of Health COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate 

Proof of Recovery 

A certificate recovery indicating that no more than 180 days have passed since date of the first positive test (and no more than 180 days prior to arrival) on : 

  1. EU Digital COVID certificate 
  2. Digital COVID certificate having been recognised as equivalent to EU Digital COVID certificate based on EU equivalence decisions issued by the European Commission
  3. Any other recovery certificate -Test Certificate of a positive PCR test of not more than 180 days and not less than 14 days prior to travel as long as this is supplemented by a valid proof of a negative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test obtained no more than 72 hours prior to arrival

Individuals not in possession of a recognised vaccination certificate, COVID recovery certificate, or of a PCR test, must be subject to a 14-day quarantine period. Such quarantine time is to be completed within a quarantine hotel which has been approved by the Superintendent of Public Health.

Third Country Nationals Travelling to Malta

In order to acquire entry to any of the 26 European Union member states, including Malta, a third country national is required to hold a valid visa, if they are not in possession of a local residence permit. Boarded checks are not required for third-country nationals traveling from Malta to another Schengen country or vice versa. When travelling within the Schengen area, third country nationals must be in possession of their passport and other essential documentation, such as a Schengen visa if so required. Furthermore, stays within the Schengen region longer than three months necessitate obtaining a long-term visa or a residence permit from the state in which the third country national plans to stay. Such long-term visas or residence permits are solely valid within the nation where they are issued.  

The requirements applicable to individuals travelling from Schengen regions, are applicable as well to third country nationals travelling to Malta. Nevertheless, one has to note whether their country of region falls within the ‘red’ or ‘dark red’ lists amongst other listed countries and zones. In such case, other travel requirements are applicable to passengers and must be satisfied.