Maltese authorities have brought in new travel rules for Irish passengers that will be a major blow to anyone who is unvaccinated and planning to head off anytime soon.
For most countries, all four forms of the Covid Cert - including vaccination, recovery, PCR, and Antigen tests - are accepted for the entry of Irish tourists; however, this evening officials confirmed a change in rules for Irish arriving into Malta.
From today, only those who hold proof of full vaccination from the HSE will be allowed entry.
Should you be heading off with proof of only a negative test, or even recovery, you will be subject to a 14 day quarantine period.
Passengers that don’t hold a Covid Certificate of vaccination are now being told to reschedule their flights unless willing to carry out the isolation period at their own cost.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs; “Anyone aged 12 and over can travel to Malta as long as they hold a certificate of full vaccination for an EMA-approved COVID 19 Vaccine, including EU Digital COVID Certificates, Maltese and NHS (UK) certificates.
“Handwritten vaccination certificates or vaccination cards will not be accepted by Malta.
“Full vaccination means a certificate issued 14 days after the second dose or 14 days after the single dose in the case of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.”
Arrivals who are not vaccinated are subject to Mandatory Hotel Quarantine for 14 days at their own expense (€100 per night per room).
Children aged between 5 and 11 do not require a vaccination certificate but must have proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test carried out a maximum of 72 hours prior to arrival in Malta.
Children aged under 5 are exempt from requirements, however, all children must be accompanied by an adult in possession of authorised certification of full vaccination.
The following documents are no longer valid for entry into Malta:
- EU Digital COVID Recovery Certificate
- EU Digital COVID Vaccination Certificate showing one dose, irrelevant of whether after recovery or not
- Negative Rapid Antigen Test or any other test, apart from PCR – either on EU Digital COVID Certificate or otherwise
- Handwritten vaccination certificates or vaccination cards
- Vaccine certificates for non-EMA approved vaccines
- Vaccine certificates for mixed vaccines
- Vaccine certificates for only 1 dose of a vaccine requiring 2 doses, also for people who recovered from COVID-19
- Vaccine certificates with less than 14 days from the final dose
