Arrivals from China will as of Monday need a negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test result to be allowed into Malta, according to a legal notice issued by the Superintendent of Public Health.
The legal notice, published on Friday, says the test has to be performed not more than 48 hours prior to the arrival in Malta. Children who are younger than 11 do not need to be in possession of a test.
It is the first time since July that Malta has reintroduced COVID measures at its borders.
Malta has no direct flights to China but the measure would apply to travel originating from China.
The Superintendent of Public Health said it may exempt any person from the requisites of this order.
The notice follows a crisis meeting of European Union experts on Wednesday which “strongly encouraged” EU countries to demand COVID tests from passengers coming from China.
A growing number of countries have imposed restrictions on all visitors from mainland China in response to a spike in COVID-19 cases there following a relaxation of its zero-COVID policy. The recent surge in cases has fuelled fears of the emergence of new strains of the virus.
Portugal and the Netherlands both said on Friday that they would also start requiring negative test results for passengers arriving from China.
While Portugal's requirement comes into impact on Saturday, the Netherlands will start enforcing the requirement as of Tuesday.
Amsterdam-Schiphol is one of Europe's biggest airports and is a hub for numerous intercontinental flight connections.
Several other EU nations -- including Germany, France, Germany, Italy and Spain --- have already announced COVID test requirements on those arriving from China. The United States and Japan are among the non-European countries to have brought in similar measures.
A change of heart
Malta's decision to require test results is a significant policy shift. Only last week, a government spokesman said when asked Malta has "no immediate plans" to introduce testing for travellers originating from China.
The spokesman however said that Malta is assessing the situation and is in direct communication with the European Commission and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control for any actions which need to be taken.