WATCH: From tomorrow, vaccinated persons can download Malta’s vaccine certificate

From tomorrow, 1st June, Maltese ID Card holders will be able to download their vaccine certificate, facilitating travel into Malta without the need for quarantine or a negative PCR test. It is also expected to facilitate the restart of “some social and cultural activities”.

Prime Minister Robert Abela and Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne made the announcement during a press conference on Monday afternoon.

The vaccine certificate will be granted to Maltese ID Card holders who apply 14 days after getting fully vaccinated.

This translates into around 140,000 people eligible to apply for the certificate.

Once the EU and other countries implement their own vaccine certificate system, Malta will join into the common system, facilitating travel.

As for homes for the elderly, those with a vaccine certificate will also be able to visit residents inside their rooms.

The certificate may be downloaded electronically and stored on one’s device, or, alternatively, people may opt to print out their vaccine certificate thereby retaining a hard copy.

Prime Minister Robert Abela urged all those who have not registered for their vaccine appointment to do so, reminding the public that as Malta prepares to open to international tourism tomorrow, and other restrictions are lifted, such as the reopening of bars on 7th June and an increase on the limit of public gatherings to six people, the use of the vaccine to fight against COVID becomes more essential.

Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne urged the public to be patient should there be issues with the initial rollout of the vaccine, reminding the audience that there were issues with the vaccine registration appointment at first, but now, “it is among the best in the world”.

In the coming days, the Foreign Affairs Ministry will be releasing a list of countries which will legally recognise Malta’s vaccine certificate, and vice versa.

Due to a new variant found in Vietnam, Minister Fearne said for the time being travel to and from the nation will not be permitted.

Onto social and cultural activities, Minister Fearne said that in the coming days, the authorities will announce the parameters within which certain activities can resume. It is expected that only those with a vaccine certificate will be permitted to enter.

He also confirmed that since COVID transmission rates have not spiked due to recent relaxation of measures, the planned time line for further relaxation measures for the coming weeks will commence as planned.

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