Malta to drop Covid entry rules for unvaccinated tourists in holiday boost

Malta will axe its quarantine rules for unvaccinated Brits later this month in a further boost for holidaymakers to the popular destination.

Currently the UK is on Malta’s red list, meaning only fully vaccinated Britons can visit for holidays without having to quarantine.

Unjabbed Britons have had to isolate at a designated hotel for 14 days on arrival, but that rule will be dropped on April 11, meaning anyone arriving from a red list country to Malta can visit quarantine free.

However, those who are not fully jabbed against Covid will still need to show either proof of a negative PCR test or proof of Covid recovery within 180 days.

Vaccine certificates will no longer be required to attend standing outdoor events or seated indoor gatherings in a further easing of the rules.

The Visit Malta website said: “As from Monday, April 11, incoming tourists travelling to Malta from a country on the red list will be allowed in with a negative PCR test taken up to 72 hours prior to arrival, or a recognised Covid recovery certificate which cannot be older than 180 days.

“Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister announced that, as planned, as from April 10, a vaccine certificate is no longer needed for persons to attend standing outdoor events or seated indoor events.”

Malta’s minister for tourism Clayton Bartolo said in a statement: “The decision to ease further Covid-19 restrictions related to travel continues to be a turning point in the government’s efforts to drive the Maltese Islands back to normality.”

CEO of the Malta Tourism Authority Johann Buttigieg also welcomed the decision.

“The authority welcomes this announcement which will continue to pave the way forward for the tourism sector to continue recovering after the pandemic,” he said.

“Today’s announcement essentially means that persons who, for some reason or other, are not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will be able to visit Malta without the need for mandatory quarantine.”

The decision makes Malta the latest popular tourism hotspot to ease their Covid rules in a bid to attract holiday makers.

Poland and Sweden have scrapped all their Covid entry requirements in an Easter holiday boost for Brits.

Both countries no longer have any Covid entry requirements for tourists visiting, regardless of their vaccination status.

France moved the UK to its green list, lifting restrictions for those without jabs on March 31, although the unvaccinated will still need to present a negative test.

However, Spain has extended its Covid entry requirements until the end of April.