Malta’s neighbouring island of Sicily has made Covid testing mandatory for travellers arriving from Malta, region president Nello Musumeci said.

The statement published by Regione Sicilia shared that anyone arriving from Malta or who has been there in the last 14 days must undergo testing to be allowed entry.

The same restrictions have been placed on travellers coming from Spain, Portugal, India, Brazil, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Previously, travellers could present a valid vaccine certificate upon arrival in Sicily.

This comes as the islands tighten the belt on travel restrictions allowing just travellers with a valid vaccine certificate recognised by the Superintendent of Public Health to be exempt from a quarantine-free period.

In addition, news cooperative ANSA reported today that nine travellers arriving from Malta tested positive after being subjected to testing at Abbruzzo’s airport. All passengers on that flight have been put in quarantine. All cases were young people and were asymptomatic, ANSA reported.