Green list: Malta and Balearic islands among countries added

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While many holidaymakers were delighted to see that Malta would be added to the green list this month, many have now seen their travel plans disrupted due to the Maltese authorities’ new rules for UK tourists. Malta has now introduced stricter Covid travel restrictions for people visiting the country from abroad. The new restrictions have been brought in due to the prevalence of the Delta Covid variant in the UK.

What are the new rules for Malta travel?

From 4am on Wednesday, June 30, Malta is officially included on the UK Government’s green list for travel.

This means people travelling to Malta from England will no longer be required to self-isolate upon their return.

But Brits hoping for a stress-free visit to Malta may now be disappointed, as Malta has introduced several strict travel restrictions for people visiting from the UK, many of which will cause major disruption to planned holidays.

The Maltese authorities now require all UK adults to present proof of full vaccination to enter Malta.

Additionally, in what is likely to cause an administrative headache for UK travellers, only the NHS COVID Pass letter will be accepted by the Maltese authorities as proof of double-vaccination.

This means UK travellers cannot use their digital app version for proof of vaccination, nor a printout of the digital app.

According to the NHS website, a paper version of the NHS COVID Pass can be requested two weeks after someone has received their second vaccine dose.

However, the letter can take up to five working days to be received in the post, presenting an issue for those hoping to travel to Malta soon.

As well as new paperwork requirements, the Maltese authorities have also set new restrictions which effectively bar UK teenagers from visiting the country.

Unvaccinated children under 12 can enter Malta with a vaccinated adult or parents, but they must have evidence of a negative PCR test dated within 72 hours before arrival in Malta.

But children aged 12 to 18 will only be able to travel if they have proof of full vaccination.

As only people aged 18 and over have been invited to book Covid vaccine appointments in the UK, the new entry requirements essentially prevent UK teenagers from visiting Malta.

Children under the age of five are not required to take a PCR test.

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What do the new rules mean for Malta holidays?

Malta’s new travel requirements have angered many who were hoping to jet off on holiday soon with family members in their teens.

Derek Rule wrote on the Malta government’s Department of Information Facebook page: “Malta will lose the money for accommodation, flights and spending.”

Mr Rule added he would have to cancel his family’s holiday because of the new rule, which he called an “apparent arbitrary discrimination against teenagers”.

Another person tweeted: “@VisitMaltaUK we are booked with my 12 & 17-year-old to come to Malta for two weeks in August.

“We will not be able to come if vaccines are required for over-12s as there is no way for them to get the vaccine as under-18s in the UK.”

While many have expressed their anger about the vaccine requirements for teenage travellers, others are rattled by the new requirement of a letter to prove vaccination status.

One person tweeted: “Malta only accept the NHS letter not the PDF from the NHS Covid vaccine app.

“This was updated today on the UK Government website. The letter you need takes five days to arrive at your address.

“No good if you are supposed to be flying on July 1, spent £350 on tests that are no use.”

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