Be the first to comment!Only fully vaccinated people allowed into Malta, EFL schools to close – Fearne
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As of next Wednesday, English language schools will be closed down and only tourists showing a vaccine certificate approved and recognised by the Superintendent of Public Health will be allowed into the country, Health Minister Chris Fearne announced on Friday, following a rise in cases over the past few days.
Dr Fearne said that a negative PCR test would no longer be enough to enter Malta. He added that Malta would be the first EU member state to make a recognised vaccine certificate a requirement for travel.
He also said that children between the ages of 5 and 12 must have a negative PCR test for Covid-19, while children under the age of 5 are exempt from this obligation. Children need to be accompanied by an adult in possession of an authorised vaccine certificate.
He stated that “this decision is being taken to protect the health of Maltese and Gozitans and to continue to safeguard a summer of work, which is crucial for the livelihood of thousands of local families.”
“This decision is also being taken because we still have an unvaccinated part of the Maltese and Gozitan population,” Dr Fearne added.
He went on to say that, “the last few days have shown very clearly that the vaccine is working, so much so that despite the increase in the number of positive people with Covid-19, the majority of people were of foreign nationality and an absolute majority (over 90%) were not vaccinated.”
Dr Fearne explained that the only three Covid-19-positive people admitted to Mater Dei Hospital are of foreign nationality and are not fully vaccinated.
Two of them had not received any dose of the vaccine, and the third person had received a second dose, but in the same week that they tested positive and therefore did not have complete immunity, he added. Twelve of the new cases advised today were people who were double vaccinated.
Dr Fearne urged the public to take the vaccine for protection from the effects of Covid-19 and follow the measures in place.
He went on to say that enforcement will be increased and that there will be extra Police on the streets for Sunday’s Euro 2020 Final. At this time there are no changes to the easing of further measures.
Photo:DOI/Omar Camilleri
