Location: Malta
Event: Announcement of new restrictions from the Maltese government in response to rising numbers of COVID cases. Due to the Government of Malta’s new restrictions detailed below, routine U.S. citizen services are available on a limited basis for U.S. citizens in Malta until Monday, April 12. Please visit the U.S. Embassy in Malta U.S. Citizen Services website or contact the Embassy using the contact information at the end of this Health Alert should you require consular assistance.
The Government of Malta has implemented measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. Beginning Thursday, March 11, the following restrictions take effect:
· All restaurants and ancillary services in hotels will close and only room service will be provided;
· Closure of non-essential shops and services including hairdressers, barbers, beauty shops, clothes shops, furniture and jeweler shops, toyshops and florists;
· Crossings to Gozo will be limited to essential travel and those who own property on the island;
· Groups gathering in public are being limited to four;
· All organized sports activities are banned;
· Pools, cinemas, museums, theatres, wedding receptions and religious activities, including masses, are banned – funerals are allowed; and
· Non-urgent surgery to be postponed.
Beginning Monday, March 15 all schools, childcare centers, and universities will close. All COVID-19 mitigation measures apply until Sunday, April 11.
Travel Information:
Air and sea travel between Malta and specific corridor countries resumed as of the July 1, 2020, according to the conditions stated on the Maltese Ministry of Health Travel website. A travel ban still applies to non-corridor countries, including the United States. To date, U.S. citizens travelling directly from the United States or any other non- “safe corridor” country are not permitted entry into Malta. Commercial flights remain available for U.S. citizens in Malta who want to return to the United States. Please note, passengers may be unable to depart the airport while transiting. U.S. citizens who plan to return to the United States should contact their airline directly with questions regarding layovers, including questions about baggage and travelling with pets.
On January 12, 2021, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced an order requiring all air passengers (including U.S. citizens) arriving to the United States from a foreign country to undergo COVID-19 testing no more than three days before their flight departs and to present the negative result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 to the
airline before boarding the flight. Air passengers will also be required to confirm that the information they present is true in the form of an attestation. Please visit the CDC website and the U.S. Embassy in Malta COVID-19 Info Page website for additional information on these new measures.
The Department of State has issued a Level 3 Travel Advisory for Malta advising travelers to reconsider travel due to COVID-19.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Warning for COVID-19 in Europe advising travelers to avoid non-essential travel to Europe.
Actions to Take:
· Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
· For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations. · Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
· Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions. · Visit the U.S. Embassy Malta webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Malta. · Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States
Assistance:
· U.S. Embassy Valletta, Malta
Ta’Qali National Park
Attard, ATD 4000
Phone number (business hours) +356 2561 4000
Phone number (after hours) +356 2561 4000
Email: ConsularMalta@state.gov Website: https://mt.usembassy.gov/
· State Department - Consular Affairs: 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444 · Malta Country Information
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