Malta will require proof of vaccination from all foreigners wishing to enter the country, in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
As of Wednesday, all foreigners who wish to enter the small Mediterranean country must show a certificate of anti-COVID vaccination recognized by the Maltese authorities. This means that they have to be certificates issued by Malta, by the European Union or by the United Kingdom.
The EU accepts those who have been vaccinated, those who have received a negative PCR test or those who have recovered from COVID-19. But Malta has decided to recognize only those who are fully vaccinated.
“Malta will be the first EU member country to take this step,” said Health Minister Chris Fearne.
Children between the ages of 5 and 12 only have to show a negative PCR test, and those under the age of 5 are exempt.
Malta, with a population of just over half a million, had 46 active cases on July 1 but by Friday the number had risen to 252.
The government says that 90% of new cases are among unvaccinated people. Currently 79% of all adults in Malta are fully vaccinated.
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