Malta to reopen to tourists in July: expect thermal checks but no quarantine

The Mediterranean island will welcome commercial flights from July 15

Malta will welcome tourists once more from July 15. Unsplash

With international travel restrictions now eased in Dubai, many might be eyeing up a potential summer holiday.

Malta is among the destinations welcoming back tourists months after flights around the world were grounded during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Mediterranean island will reopen its borders to travellers next month, welcoming tourists from 22 European countries, including Germany, Austria and Norway, from Wednesday, July 1.

Restrictions on all other flight destinations will then be lifted on Wednesday, July 15.

Malta International Airport will reopen fully from that date, with all tourists set to undergo thermal screening on arrival.

All travellers will also have to fill in a self-declaration form, detailing their whereabouts in the past 30 days, though routine quarantine will not be imposed on all arrivals.

Travellers have to wear face masks or shields in confined areas where social distancing cannot be guaranteed, but not at all times.

The island – part of an archipelago that consists of Malta, Gozo and Comino – encourages visitors to practise social distancing, keeping two metres away from people as much as possible.

Ferries and boats to Gozo and Comino will operate as per their normal schedule, with public transport across the islands also running as per usual.

Malta's government shut the airport to commercial passenger flights on March 20. The island, which has a population of about 440,000, has reported 665 confirmed cases of Covid-19, with nine deaths and 624 recoveries.

Malta is located 93 kilometres south of the Italian island of Sicily, and is known for its historic fortresses and archaeological sites, as well as warm climes.

Emirates will operate flights to Malta, with a connection in Cyprus, from August, according to its website.