As of July 6, 2021, an increasing number of compatriots travelling to Malta, mostly minors attending language courses organised by local colleges and schools, tested positive for COVID-19 or came into contact with positive individuals, following the antigen swab test before their departure to return to Italy.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Italian Embassy in Malta were promptly informed. They provided direct support to their compatriots on the spot and their families in Italy from the first moment. The local authorities isolated all those who tested positive and those who, although negative, had been in direct contact with them.
The Italian Embassy in Malta immediately dispatched officials to the facilities where the nationals needed the most assistance, providing them with essentials. Except for a few precautionary hospitalisations, our nationals’ health conditions were not causing concern. The Embassy ensured that medical staff was made available, especially to younger compatriots.
Furthermore, through the Crisis Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a remote collaboration has been activated with the Spallanzani hospital, which will keep in touch with its Maltese health counterparts.
The Embassy, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has also taken steps to raise awareness with the competent local authorities, also at high levels, to allow the return to Italy of those who tested negative to the swab test. Still, for the moment, the Maltese legislation remains confirmed. It does not allow the return to our country, either for persons who tested positive or for their close contacts who tested negative, for 14 days.
The situation affects tourists and language school students from several other European countries.
