Malta to welcome vaccinated Brits from June 1
MALTA has confirmed that vaccinated Brits will be welcomed back without travel restrictions from June 1.
The holiday island has some of the lowest cases of Covid across Europe - reporting just 55 new cases yesterday - and has vaccinated 30 per cent of the population.
This is just behind the UK's 45 per cent of the population given the first jab, although Malta is leading in the EU.
It follows the Portuguese island of Madeira which is currently the only destination in the EU to already be welcoming Brits back if they have the vaccine or Covid antibodies.
UK travellers with both doses of the Covid vaccine will be welcomed back to Malta and will have to show their vaccination card before boarding their flight.
Anyone who doesn't have the full vaccine must have a negative Covid test 72 hours before arrival.
It comes as...
- Greece will welcome tourists back from May 14 with vaccine passports
- Portugal wants tourists with vaccine passports or negative tests back from May 17
- Spain has backed vaccine passports with the Balearic Islands hoping to be the first
- Turkey won't enforce travel restrictions on holidaymakers returning
- Cyprus wants fully vaccinated travellers from May 1
Tolene Van Der Merwe, director for the UK and Ireland at MTA, said: “Malta is a very popular destination for British holidaymakers and is a key contributor to Malta’s economy, so we are excited to welcome back fully vaccinated travellers from the United Kingdom from 1 June.
“The people of Malta are looking forward to tourists returning who have loved our sunshine, culture, food and warm spirit year in, year out.”
It is worth noting that the UK government has not yet confirmed when holidays abroad can resume.
The Global Travel Taskforce will announce when this will be next month, with the earliest possible date from May 17.
Other countries opening to vaccinated Brits this summer include Spain, Greece and Portugal who all want UK travellers back from May.
Cyprus will welcome Brits who have had both jabs from May 1.
Turkey is one of the few destinations who will welcome Brits back without the vaccine.
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While there are fears that holidays abroad may not restart until August, due to the third wave sweeping Europe, the UK's Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said it may still be "on the cards" for an overseas trip this summer.
The current travel rules enforce a £5,000 fine for anyone trying to leave the country to go on holiday, which is in place until June.
Brits already have to also fill out a form if they do want to leave the country, stating their permitted reason to do so, or they will face a £200 fine for not having the right paperwork.