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Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Malta (May 29, 2020)
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13 MINUTE READ
May 29, 2020

Health Alert

 

Location: Malta

Event: On May 29, the Ministry of Health confirmed 616 cases of COVID-19 in Malta, 94 of which remain active cases.

As of March 27, U.S. Embassy Malta suspended non-emergency U.S. citizen and visa services. U.S. citizens in Malta who require assistance should contact the Embassy using the contact information at the end of this Health Alert.

The Government of Malta has suspended all inbound and outbound flightsuntil at least June 15, except for a limited number of cargo, humanitarian, and repatriation flights, including Air Malta’s outbound “lifeline schedule” flights detailed below:

On March 23, Air Malta began a “lifeline schedule” to facilitate outbound travel for stranded individuals to return to their country of origin. The “lifeline schedule” currently operates from Malta to London, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt. The schedule may change subject to demand. Selected flights from the outbound only schedule are available for individuals to book online at www.airmalta.com or through a travel agent.  As of June 1, all passengers travelling on an Air Malta flight will be required to wear, at all times, their own face mask.

U.S. citizens in Malta who want to return to the United States should immediately make arrangements to depart the country through Air Malta’s “lifeline schedule.” Those who plan to utilize Air Malta’s “lifeline schedule” will also need to book a same-day commercial connecting flight from the transit point to the United States. All U.S. citizens who plan to return to the United States are asked to email their complete travel itinerary, full name, and date of birth to ConsularMalta@state.gov.

The government of Malta has implemented measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. All bars (excluding take-away), gymnasiums, schools, childcare centers, and universities remain closed until further notice.

Essential shops, including: shops selling food or medicine, pet shops, banks, post offices and transport services remain open. As of May 4, some non-essential shops were able to re-open, including: lotto booths, VRT testing stations, clothes and sportswear shops, jewelry shops, bag and shoe shops, non-prescription eyewear shops, perfume and beauty supply stores, haberdasheries and home decorations shops, souvenir and discount shops, luggage shops, toy shops, hobby shops, furniture shops, and florists.

As of May 4, health centers resumed providing vaccinations, cervical cancer screenings, CT Scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, and cardiology appointments.

As of May 22, restaurants, barbers, hairdressers, beauticians, hotels, outdoor pools, open-air markets, open-air cinemas, and certain health services (including diabetic clinics, cardio clinics, well-being clinics, and mental health services) may resume business, provided they adhere to specific COVID-19 prevention measures as detailed by the Maltese Health Authorities.

Customers and clients are required to have their temperature checked before entering the service venue, wear a facemask within the premises, and keep two meters from others. Establishments may only permit entry to one person per every 10 square meters of venue space. Vulnerable persons must continue to exercise caution and leave their home only for essential needs (see details below).

The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19.

State local government actions: 

As of May 4, travel between Malta and Gozo resumed. Ferry commuters are required to wear a mask while using the Gozo Channel ferry service and only a controlled number of passengers will be allowed onboard.

  • As of March 28, all persons age 65 or older, pregnant women, as well as persons with chronic illness, including: diabetic persons who are dependent on insulin, persons on biological medicines, persons who are facing or who have faced cancer or chemotherapy in the last six months, persons undergoing immunosuppression including those who have had a transplant, persons who have HIV, persons on dialysis, persons who have respiratory illness and who were admitted to hospital in the last year, persons with heart illnesses who have had a medical intervention in the last six months, persons who attend the heart failure clinic, and all persons on oral steroids must remain in their homes. Healthcare workers and people in positions of leadership in essential sectors are exempt from the lockdown rules.
  • The only exception for the above-mentioned persons to be able to leave their homes is for medical appointments and emergencies, to buy food, medicines and other necessities, and to attend absolutely essential or urgent needs, including: going to work for a critical reason for a short period of time, exercising child visitation rights, feeding or caring for animals which are located somewhere other than their home, and going to the bank. Exceptions may also be granted on a case by case basis by the Maltese Superintendent for Public Health.
  • Those living in the same home as the above-mentioned persons may go to work, shop for essential items, attend medical appointments, and exercise child visitation rights.
  • Public gatherings of more than six people are banned, and people must leave a distance of at least two meters space between each other. Those who violate this order are subject to a €100 fine. This rule does not apply to members of the same family who live in the same household.
  • Persons entering Malta from any other country from March 13 onwards must spend 14 days in mandatory self-quarantine.
  • The mandatory self-quarantine is enforced through regular police spot-checks. Those who fail to observe the order are subject to a €3,000 fine for each instance the order is breached.
  • Persons who test positive for COVID-19 and are ordered to self-quarantine will be fined a €10,000 fine for each instance the order is breached.
  • Asymptomatic visitors can choose to undergo mandatory self-quarantine or return to their country of origin as soon as possible.U.S. citizens in Malta who want to return to the United States should make arrangements while outbound flights are still available.

 Actions to Take:

 

Assistance: 

U.S. Embassy Valletta, Malta

Ta’Qali National Park

Attard, ATD 4000

Phone number (business hours) +356 2561 4000

Phone number (after hours) +356 2561 4000

Email: ConsularMalta@state.gov

Website: https://mt.usembassy.gov/

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