Malta has received a shipment of rapid COVID-19 tests which will see tests results issued within 15 to 30 minutes. In comments to Times of Malta, Health Minister Chris Fearne confirmed the arrrival of the shipment.

He said that the government will be issuing more details on the tests' usage alongside the existing procedures. The testing method will reportedly be rolled out in the coming days.

At present, results from swab tests take a few hours to be issued, with many people finding out whether they are COVID-positive or negative a day after being swabbed.

The World Health Organisation called the availabiity of such rapid tests a "major milestone." Maltese health authorities have reiterated this fact, saying widespread testing is the key to keeping the pandemic at bay. Our islands currently have six testing hubs: Pembroke (Luxol Grounds), Mater Dei, Luqa, Burmarrad, Qormi, as well as one in Gozo.