BREAKING: Flights between Malta-UK banned from Tuesday, 22 December

Flights between Malta and the UK are being suspended from tomorrow, 22^nd December. Earlier on Monday, the Government had announced mandatory 14-day quarantine for all those arriving from the UK as from tomorrow.

The flight suspension follows many other European countries, with France blocking people and goods from crossing the Channel, and Germany, Ireland, Italy, Austria, Romania, The Netherlands and Belgium all declaring they would block air travel with the UK.

The Health Ministry announced that despite the flight suspensions, Maltese citizens and residents of Malta who are currently in the UK will be given the opportunity to return to Malta on condition of a COVID-19 swab test on arrival and an obligatory 14 day quarantine period.

“This is a temporary decision as the Maltese Health Authorities are closely following developments within the UK, while they are also participating in EU-wide discussions so that eventually, the EU may declare a position and provide guidance.”

Earlier

Passengers arriving from the UK as from Tuesday, 22^nd December, will have to quarantine for 14 days when arriving in Malta, the Health Ministry announced early on Monday morning.

The move follows concerns of a COVID-19 strain that is believed to be more infectious and has been spreading through the UK.

The Health Ministry stressed that this is a temporary measure, and that talks for a common EU position are ongoing.

Other countries have taken harsher measures than Malta, with France blocking people and goods from crossing the Channel, and Germany, Ireland, Italy, Austria, Romania, The Netherlands and Belgium all declaring they would block air travel with the UK.

The UK is one of Malta’s largest tourist markets, with UK citizens making up the largest community of expats living on the island. There are several daily flights which operate between Malta and the UK, and five flights are scheduled to land in Malta on Monday, before the mandatory quarantine rules come into force.