Malta to start accepting USA CDC COVID-19 vaccine certificate as of Monday

Malta’s health and tourism authorities “are proceeding with technical arrangements” for the verification and recognition of the United States (US) CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, the US’s version of a vaccine certificate.

In a statement released on Saturday, Malta’s authorities said that "as from Monday 19th July, Malta will recognise” the US vaccine certificate with a European Medicines Authority (EMA) approved vaccine for those who have been fully covered (had both doses or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson jab) for at least 14 days.

The Government statement also said that “as from 1st August 2021, the United States CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card will need to be verified through a specific app to be accepted as a valid vaccination certificate.” Therefore, the certificate will have the possibility of being checked digitally as of 1st August.

Details on this verification app will be issued in the coming days.

On Wednesday, new travel rules came into force obliging inbound travellers without a valid Maltese, UK or EU vaccine certificate to quarantine for 14 days at the cost of €1,400 to be covered by the traveller. Maltese residents can write to the health authorities requesting to quarantine at an alternative location, such as their own residence, and decisions will be taken on a case-by-case basis.

Children under 12 and those with a medical reason for not taking the vaccine are exempt and are allowed to travel using a PCR test taken no later than 72 hours from arrival. 

The new rules came into force following a spike of daily infections, with authorities saying they have largely stemmed from unvaccinated travellers and those travelling in general.