Deputy PM Chris Fearne announces changes to travel-related quarantine

Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne has announced that as of Friday, vaccinated residents of Malta entering the country from dark-red zones will be permitted to quarantine at their own residence.

He said that anyone arriving from countries categorised as 'dark red' zones who have a residency permit or an ID card may self-isolate at home so long as their entire household is fully vaccinated.

Minister Fearne said those coming from "large" households, meaning greater than four residents, must still quarantine inside a designated hotel.

This is a departure from the current rule which mandates residents to quarantine at designated hotels, at their own cost of €1,400.

Minister Fearne also explained that the dark red country list will no longer be tied to the Delta variant, but to the Mu variant.

Restaurants and bars accepting vaccinated persons only

Minister Fearne also spoke of a number of restaurants and bars that said they are interested in accepting vaccinated patrons only, in a bid to adhere to less strict COVID protocols.

He said that such establishments must declare their intention to do this, and following meetings with Superintendence of Public Health Charmaine Gauci, relaxed protocols for such businesses opting for this will be announced.

Detail on what such relaxed measures will be were limited, but Minister Fearne said this could mean extending opening hours or allowing shorter distances between tables.