Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Malta (March 23, 2020)

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March 23, 2020

The Malta Ministry of Health on March 22 confirmed 17 new cases of COVID-19 in Malta, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 90.

On March 14, the Department of State authorized the voluntary departure from any diplomatic or consular post in the world of US personnel and family members who have been medically determined to be at higher risk of a poor outcome if exposed to COVID-19.

The government of Malta has implemented enhanced screening and quarantine measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice. Visit the COVID-19 Info Page website for additional information on these new measures.

The government of Malta has implemented measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. All bars (excluding take-away), restaurants (excluding deliveries), gymnasiums, clubs, cinemas, tombola halls, schools, childcare centers, universities, and all non-essential shops remain closed until further notice. Shops selling food or medicine, pet shops, banks, post offices and transport services will continue to operate as usual.

On March 17, the Maltese aviation authority announced the Malta airport will suspend all inbound flights as of Friday 20th March 11:59 pm. Air Malta announced it will suspend all commercial flights departing after 11:59 pm on Friday 20th March, until further notice, except for a limited number of “lifeline flights” as detailed below.

Beginning March 23, Air Malta will begin a “lifeline schedule” to facilitate outbound travel for stranded individuals to return to their country of origin. The “lifeline schedule” will operate from Malta to London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt, and Vienna. The schedule can be changed subject to demand. Selected flights from the outbound only schedule will be available for individuals to book online on www.airmalta.com or through a travel agent.

U.S. citizens in Malta who want to return to the United States should make arrangements to depart the country through the Air Malta “lifeline schedule.” Interested individuals will need to book a commercial connecting flight from the transit point to the United States. If you plan to utilize Air Malta’s “lifeline schedule,” please email your complete travel itinerary, full name, and date of birth to ConsularMalta@state.gov in order for our office to notify the Maltese authorities.

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

State local government actions:

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.
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:

Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
Visit the U.S. Embassy Malta webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Malta.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States