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Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Malta (June 5, 2020)
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11 MINUTE READ
June 5, 2020

Health Alert

 

Location: Malta

Event:On June 5, the Ministry of Health confirmed 33 active cases of COVID-19.

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 May 31, 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.    

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.

Prime Minister Robert Abela announced that the Malta International Airport and ports will reopen on July 1, 2020. The first group of “safe corridor” destinations that are being reopened for travel include: Germany, Austria, Sicily, Cyprus, Switzerland, Sardinia, Iceland, Slovakia, Norway, Denmark, Hungary, Finland, Ireland, Lithuania, Israel, Latvia, Estonia, Luxembourg, and Czech Republic.

The “safe corridors” list will only apply to direct flights between areas deemed safe and to people who have spent the previous four weeks there.  Please visit the Malta Travel Authority website here for more information.

The government of Malta has implemented measures to limit the spread of COVID-19.  Essential shops, including: shops selling food or medicine, pet shops, banks, post offices and transport services remain open. As of May 4, non-essential shops, 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 were able to re-open.

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 resumed business.

As of June 5, bars, gyms, law courts, and childcare centers may resume business.  As of July 1, summer schools will re-open. Resumption of business is allowable provided specific COVID-19 prevention measures as detailed by the Maltese Health Authorities are adhered to.

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.

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

State local government actions: 

 Vulnerable persons should continue to exercise caution but are able to return to work beginning June 5.

  • 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.
  • Public gatherings of more than 75 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 through June 30 must spend 14 days in mandatory self-quarantine.Passengers arriving from non- “safe corridor” destinations after July 1 will also have to undergo two weeks of mandatory 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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