People who are vaccinated, as from yesterday, started to walk the streets without wearing a face-mask – provided that a vaccination certificate has been issued and in groups limited to just two persons, with the second person also fully vaccinated.
The measure formed part of several other restrictions that were lifted at the start of July.
Last Monday, restaurants, bars, snack bars and clubs were allowed to open until 2am if their licence allowed it.
Sea transport can now also operate at 65 per cent of capacity, and water parks have been allowed to reopen their doors.
Restrictions have also been lifted on fitness classes and contact sport for children under 17. There were also changes in Mater Dei Hospital visiting hours, which have returned to the normal opening times of between 11.30am and 1pm and then from 3pm to 8pm.
With more 80 per cent of the population now having been administered at least one dose, Malta has the per capita best vaccination programme in the European Union.
Face Masks
Anyone who has been administered both doses of the vaccine, or received a single dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, and has been fully vaccinated for 14 days, in possession of a vaccine certificate, is now able to stay without a mask in open public places in groups of 2.
Children under the age of 12 can stay without a mask as long as they are accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult person.
People from the same household, irrespective of the number, can also be together without a mask outdoors.
Masks will still have to be worn in closed spaces.
Travel
Malta has started to accept the EU’s Digital COVID Certificate and the UK’s green passport.
Only fully vaccinated persons can travel to Malta from the UK. They will need to present a UK two-dose certificate before boarding. The EU’s digital COVID certificate will be accepted as well.
Children aged between five and 12 can travel if they accompany their vaccinated parents or legal guardian, provided they have a negative PCR test carried out within 72 hours from arrival in Malta. Children under five do not need a test.
From 5 July
The maximum capacity at any social or cultural event will be capped at 100 persons, which will then be extended to 150 persons on 15 July.
Measures still in place
The limit for household gatherings is still 4 different households.
The wedding and funeral protocols are still in place. For weddings maximum capacity of attendees shall not exceed 100 persons inside and 300 persons outdoors. All shall be seated at tables with a maximum of six persons per table, except when the persons on the table are from the same household. A two metre distance shall be retained between one table and another. The use of dance floors is prohibited.