The Maltese in Russia Association (MiRA) has asked the Maltese authorities to recognise Russia’s Sputnik Covid-19 vaccine certificate, or just allow Maltese from Russia to fly on the basis of a PCR test.

The association said that Malta has achieved a vaccination rate of over 90% of the eligible population. “All and sundry have had ample opportunity to be vaccinated.”

They said that “the Sputnik vaccine is accepted by a third of the world’s countries and is as effective as Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca.”

“The superintendent of public health in Malta, through her prolonged actions in forcing arrivals of Maltese citizens from Russia to quarantine in hotel for 14 days at a cost of 100 USD per night, is infringing on our constitutional and human rights. The superintendent of public health is blatantly discriminating against Maltese expats in Russia. No other EU country is treating its citizens like this and we have been transformed into the Maltese refugees of the 21st century. The Maltese living in Russia had no option to vaccinate with the western vaccines and took the Sputnik vaccine to safeguard their health. The Maltese living in Russia are not immigrants but mainly expats who have family and property in Malta.”

The association also said that Malta’s incidence rate of Covid in Russia is not as high as other countries and should not be on the dark red list.

“MiRA is requesting the Maltese Authorities to: Accept the Sputnik vaccination certificate or just allow Maltese from Russia on the basis of a PCR test; Remove Russia from the list of Dark Red countries; Scrap the quarantine system for those Maltese vaccinated with Sputnik; Allow unvaccinated Maltese from Russia to quarantine at home.”

The association said that “mounting evidence suggests Sputnik COVID vaccine is safe and effective. Nearly 70 nations are using Sputnik to vaccinate their population.”

“Some EU countries also have bilateral deals in place to mutually recognize national vaccination certificates. So, Malta can independently recognise Sputnik vaccination certificates.” The association claimed that some European countries are accepting tourists vaccinated with Sputnik, such as Greece, Cyprus, Croatia.