Malta Reopens Its Borders for More Third Countries, Including UAE & Turkey
Malta has expanded the list of world citizens eligible to enter the island country as of July 15, adding to its list new third countries, completely out of line with the EU Commission’s and Council’s recommendation.
In a recent move, Malta has opened borders to 28 new countries, which it has called ‘safe corridor countries’, upon an evaluation which found that these countries are epidemiologically safe, and arrivals from their territories pose low risks for further COVID-19 spread in Malta.
Since Wednesday, July 15, residents of the following countries are now eligible to enter Malta, for non-essential purposes.
- Andorra
- Australia
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- China
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Jordan
- Lebanon
- Monaco
- Morocco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Portugal
- Romania
- Rwanda
- San Marino
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Thailand
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- Uruguay
- Vatican City
The previous list that came into effect on July 1 consisted of the following countries only: Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland.
“Air and sea travel between Malta and specific safe ‘corridor countries’, based on epidemiological criteria, has resumed as of July 1, 2020. Such travel is allowed only for persons who have been living for at least two weeks in corridor countries (including Malta),” the Maltese authorities explain.
Malta’s decisions are out of line with EU Commission’s recommendation to reopen borders to all EU countries starting from June 15, and another recommendation of the Council to reopen borders to 15 third-countries on July 1.
Furthermore, Malta has added to its list of ‘safe corridor countries’, countries that the EU Council has not listed as epidemiologically safe, as Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
Quarantine and negative test results for COVID-19 are not required for entry. Yet, those who show symptoms at the port of entry will be requested to have a PCR swab test.
Upon arrival, all travellers will have to complete two forms: the Public Health Travel Declaration Form and the Passenger Locator Form, which should then be handed to the Aircraft Crew.
They may also be dropped within the deposit boxes available on exit from the Terminal Temperature Screening Points upon arrival at Malta International Airport.
