Our travel bug will have to wait for the time being.
At the start of the summer and when the airport opened up to most places, Malta was practically on everyone’s green list. After the recent surge in cases, however, these 12 countries have imposed travel restrictions and measures to and from Malta.
From quarantine periods to presenting negative test results, here are the restrictions:
1. Greece
The land of the Ancient Greeks now requires travellers coming from Malta to present a negative test result carried out not more than 72 hours in advance.
2. Slovenia
This week, Slovenia bumped Malta down to its yellow list and although for now it is deemed as epidemiologically safe, a 14-day quarantine period is now in place and applicable to anyone who is not a Slovenian citizen or a foreign nation who can prove residence in Slovenia.
3. Latvia
In early June, Malta was put back on Latvia's green list after being considered a danger zone. Unfortunately we are back on the red list with the Latvian government discouraging visits to Malta and arrivals needing to quarantine for 14 days if they enter Latvia.
4. The Netherlands
Just this week, the Netherlands also added us to their quarantine list, being demoted to their “orange list” which advises against non-essential travel.
5. Estonia
Estonia was one of the first countries to remove us from their safe corridor travel list. Now, incoming travellers from Malta must observe the 14-day quarantine period.
6. Lithuania
Lithuania is on the hardcore end of the spectrum. Lithuania residents must enter quarantine for 14 days while Maltese residents are completely banned from entering.
7. Ireland
We’ll have to wait to get a genuine pint of Guinness as Ireland took us off their green list at the start of the month. And of course, the 14-day quarantine period applies here.
8. Belgium
Two days ago, Belgium chucked Malta off its safe list and it is now being recommended that travellers from Malta get tested and observe quarantine considering the islands’ spike in cases.
9. Italy
Our neighbouring country of Italy is a trickier situation as each region has its own rules, and some haven’t imposed. However, a test needs to be done upon arriving in any Italian region, with Sicilians needing to quarantine while all arrivals in Puglia need to quarantine.
10. Norway
Just yesterday, Norway put Malta on its red list after deeming us as a country with high transmission rates. The Norwegian government has imposed a 10-day quarantine period that comes into effect form tomorrow, Saturday 15th August.
11. Denmark
Yes, Denmark is also on the list. The Nordic country has a travel ban on Malta meaning just like Lithuania, Maltese residents aren’t welcome at this time.
12. England
Coming into effect at 4am on Saturday 15th August, England is officially removing Malta off its safe travel corridor list and is now advising against all but essential travel to our islands. There is a possibility that travellers may need to self-isolate when returning to the UK.
Apart from these European countries, the US has also advises against non-essential travel to the Maltese Islands, saying that “COVID-19 risk in Malta is high.”