As of next Monday 17th January, Malta will only be allowing individuals holding a valid vaccine certificate into bars, restaurants, gyms, pools, cinemas, and sporting events.

Today, however, Health Minister Chris Fearne announced that this rule will come with a few exceptions.

For starters, Maltese residents who are returning from abroad will be allowed a two-week grace period from this rule, i.e. they can enter the aforementioned establishments without a booster dose up until 1st February.

This also applies to those aged between 12 and 18 who have already taken both doses (or first dose, if Johnson & Johnson), women who are in their first trimester of pregnancy, and workers who are not in close contact with clients.

Those that have not been able to take the booster due to being COVID-19 positive are also allowed a six-week exemption from said rules, starting from 17th January.

Children under 12 are exempt from showing vaccine certificate at establishments.

Places allowing entry based on vaccination status are encouraged to check the validity of vaccine certificates through the Covpass Malta app, which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.

The Health Minister went on to announce the relaxation of certain measures, set to come into effect next Monday.

As of 17th January, restaurants, bars, and snack bars are no longer required to implement social distancing.

Individuals who have received their booster can go out in public without their mask, provided that they’re with just one other person.

Organised events are nonetheless required to remain seated and all establishments can remain open until maximum 1am.

Minister Fearne went on to announce that, as of next Monday, Malta will be welcoming a number of walk-in clinics for the COVID-19 booster, as well as a number of mobile clinics.