Wow, well what can I say! What a 48 hours eh!
My heart absolutely goes out to anyone that was due to travel to the islands this week, its been a total mess.
I'm delighted to announce, that both countries have FINALLY gotten their acts together and the NHS App along with the PDF copy of your fully vaccinated status is now recognised and accepted in Malta.
To those of you who have heartbreakingly had holidays and flights cancelled in the shambolic interim, I'm sending a huge hug.
I've updated the information below to now reflect the change - long may this remain eh!
So without further ado, again please find below everything you need to know in a concise manner, when entering #Malta from the UK as of today 01 July!
** Links to all required forms are included too 😊 **
Entering Malta
Only fully vaccinated tourists will be granted entry to the islands quarantine free.
Please also bear in mind that everyone arriving (and departing) from Malta also has their temperature checked. If you have a high temperature, you will need to take a swab test.
Children aged 5-11 can travel if they accompany vaccinated adults with proof of a negative PCR test carried out within 72 hours from arrival in Malta.
Children under the age of 5 do not need to take a test.
Children aged 12-18 will need proof of vaccination which sadly is a no go here in the UK. A negative PCR test for children aged 12-18 will not be accepted from June 30th.
Those not in possession of an accepted vaccine certificate can only visit Malta by seeking pre-authorization from covid19.vetting@gov.mt who would request a pre-departure PCR, 14 days quarantine at the travellers expense, and PCRs during the period of quarantine.
You must also complete a Public Health Travel Declaration Form and Passenger Locator Form. Both forms will need to be shown to airline officials on departure and health officials stationed at Malta International Airports Terminal Temperature Screening Points upon arrival. To avoid further delays in your journey please complete these forms before departure.
Proof of vaccination
Confirmed this morning in an official press release by the Maltese Government - the NHS App is now recognisable as proof of your fully vaccinated status.
PR211245en 01/07/2021 PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTRY FOR HEALTH AND THE MINISTRY FOR TOURISM AND CONSUMER PROTECTION Malta starts accepting the digital app version of the UK NHS vaccine certificate
As from today, 1st July 2021, Malta will be accepting the digital app version of the UK NHS vaccine certificate, as well as the paper version of the certificate. This update came following the creation of a verifier app, created by the Maltese Authorities, which allows airlines and health officials to verify the authenticity of the UK digital certificate presented by tourists before entering Malta. People coming from the United Kingdom will only be allowed to enter Malta upon the presentation of a vaccine certificate recognized by the Superintendant for Public Health.
How to get your NHS COVID Pass
You can access a digital version of your COVID Pass using the NHS App or website. Evidence of your two vaccinations sit within the App and you also have the option of downloading the information as a PDF document or have it sent to you in an email.
To use the NHS App you must be registered with a GP surgery in England.
Please note that once downloaded your pass lasts for 28 days therefore it's super important to check the expiry date before you travel. If its out of date, download again.
Paper Certificate
The paper certificate differs from the PDF version in that it has a 2D barcode rather than a QR code (QR codes are easily replicated and can be used fraudulently)
There is a HUGE benefit of using the paper certificate as opposed to the PDF version - the paper version does not have an expiry date.
You can request a letter 2 weeks after having your 2nd dose of the vaccine, and you should receive it within 5 working days.
You do not need to be registered with a GP surgery or have an NHS login for this.
There are two ways to request a paper copy of your letter,
By calling 119 if you are travelling within 4 weeks
Or online here
If you live in Scotland, call 0808 196 8565 or visit this link
In Wales call 0300 303 5667 or visit this link
For Northern Ireland - as it currently stands there is no letter or documentation in place yet although it has been promised by the 19th of July.
My recommendation would be that if you have time, order a paper certificate.
Returning to the UK
Malta is now on the Uk's green list, therefore there is no longer a need to quarantine on your return and lesser tests are now required.
Even better news, the islands are NOT on the green watch list which means traffic light changes will not happen suddenly like they did for Portugal.
Return requirements are,
Book a PCR test for Day 2 after your return (before leaving to go on holiday as you need to add the test info into your return passenger locator form) You do not need to quarantine unless your day-two test is positive, or NHS Test & Trace says you have travelled with someone who tested positive. There are numerous suppliers of Day 2 tests, including Dante Labs at just £49.
To be able to fly home, you need to provide proof of a negative result from a test taken in the 3 days before your return flight departs. This could be a PCR, antigen/lateral flow or LAMP Covid-19 test. Your test result can be provided as a printed document, an email or text message you can show on your phone.
There are various testing centres across the islands, including a a rapid antigen testing facility at Malta International Airport’s Multi-Storey Car Park, Park East, on Level 0. The test price is just EUR35. You can book your slot here
Complete the passenger locator form any time in the 48 hours before you arrive in the UK. You’ll need to show your form when you check in to travel or board your plane, or at immigration upon arrival in the UK. This is a digital form and can be stored on your phone or tablet.
Remember to charge your phone or tablet before heading to the airport to avoid delays.
Finally, Malta's roadmap to freedom has been updated too, you can read the latest version here,
Hopefully, we have seen the last of the amendments now, I'm just hoping they find a workaround for the 12-18 age group.
Hope this helps,
Take care and speak soon
Tracy 😘