Malta is one of 16 countries to be added to the United States’ ‘very high risk’ travel list as the country grapples with the Delta variant of Covid-19.

The directive was issued by the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, which urged people to “avoid travel to these destinations.”

If you must travel to these destinations, make sure you are fully vaccinated before travel," the CDC said.

As things stand, all passengers travelling to the US are required to have at least a negative test result or documentation proving recovery from Covid-19 before entering the country.

Meanwhile, all those entering Malta from the US must be in possession of a vaccination certificate – US vaccination cards started to be recognised in Malta last month – or else face a 14-day quarantine period at a designated hotel, which would set travellers back €1,400.

Those residing in Malta can ask for special permission to quarantine at home, but the decision is taken on a case-by-case basis by health authorities.