New new rules come into force tomorrow – Monday, as announced by Health Minister Chris Fearne last Thursday. These include for mask wearing, vaccine certificates for establishments and for travel.

The wearing of masks will still be recommended, however, as from tomorrow fully vaccinated people with the booster jab will no longer have to wear a mask in public, provided that they not in a group of more than two people.

Establishments will still have to close at 1am, and mass events will remain seated for the present time.

Spectators will be allowed to attend sporting events, but will need to be in possession of a valid vaccination certificate to enter.

Restaurants and other catering establishments can dispense with the two-metre rule enabling them to work according to their license at full capacity, this is because as from tomorrow they will only be accepting vaccinated people in possession of a valid certificate.

The Government has advised that a vaccine certificate will from Monday, be mandatory to gain access to bars and nightclubs, restaurants, social clubs, snack bars, cinemas, pools, spas and saunas, gyms and fitness centres, bowling alleys, theatres, any organised events, casinos, gaming parlours and bingo halls.Authorities said that the only instance in which a request for consideration for exemption from vaccination certificate requirement for entry to establishments on medical grounds is justified is where the first dose of vaccine caused immediate severe anaphylaxis requiring medical treatment. In all other medical conditions and situations, at least one of the authorised vaccines may be administered safely.

It added that in the above exceptional circumstance only, persons would need to apply for an exemption by sending an email with all relevant documentation to covid19.health@gov.mt Subject title of email should read as follows “EXEMPTION REQUEST: Name of person for whom the application is being requested.”

Authorities stressed that this email must be accompanied by a valid, verifiable medical certificate which includes clear contact details of one’s medical specialist consultant.

A copy of the exemption letter from the Superintendent of Public Health must be presented at the entrance to the establishment (the initial letter from the individual’s family doctor/specialist cannot be used to gain entrance).

Full details and further information on standards for entry to establishments and events can be found by clicking here.There will be a temporary exemption criteria for travel regarding people returning to Malta between the 17th of January and the 1st of February 2022, the Government said.

People with a valid residency permit who were abroad before the 17th January of 2022 and are returning to Malta, will be exempt from quarantine if they have:

A full course of vaccination (2 doses or 1 dose of a single dose vaccine plus 14 days)

A negative PCR test carried out within 72 hours prior to arrival in Malta

Applied for and take booster within 5 days from arrival in Malta.

The Government stated that this exemption does not apply to persons returning from dark red countries.

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