In March 2020, the Maltese Islands realised the serious nature of the coronavirus. Along with the rest of Europe, Malta implemented nation-wide measures in an attempt to get the pandemic under control locally. The country was never forced into a real lockdown, rather, many employers asked their staff to work from home, and the airport was closed, with strict quarantine rules for anyone entering the country. Shops, restaurants, hairdressers and salons were forced to close, however grocery stores remained open.
Testing for COVID-19
Malta’s national strategy for controlling the spread of the illness was based on a consistently high rate of testing, having achieved a globally high rate of testing per capita. Malta has many dedicated testing centres in different locations – at Pembroke, Luqa, Mater Dei hospital, and at Xewkija, Gozo (more are being set up).
Testing is done by appointment only, which can be organised by calling the Public Health Helpline on 111 or +356 21324086 if you have a foreign number. Arrival at the testing centre can only be in a car or motorbike, and not by bus, taxi, or ride-sharing service. Patients must present their ID cards in order to be tested. The test is administered by inserting a swab into the nasal cavity. Results are sent within 72 hours through SMS, email, or phone call.
How does Malta handle positive COVID patients?
Upon a positive test result, the patient is evaluated by a team which determines if they must spend the duration of their illness recovering at home, or if they need to be cared for in hospital. At this point, contact tracing is done. The patient receives regular check-ups, and will be declared recovered once a swab test no longer detects the virus.
Malta’s only airport was closed for commercial flights on 21st March 2020. However, even when the airport was “closed”, there were almost daily flights coming into the country with the purpose of repatriating any Maltese who were abroad. Mandatory quarantine was enforced for anyone entering the country and anyone living in that same household. This was enforced through random spot-checks and fines ranging from €1000-€10,000 for those not found home during their quarantine.
Malta reached its first peak of cases in April when a record high of 52 people tested positive. In total 9 people died, all of whom had other complicating factors.
The airport reopened on the 1st July 2020 for flights from a small number of “safe corridor” countries. On 15th July 2020 the airport was open to flights from a list of countries, although not all international flights are allowed in.
“Make no mistake, COVID is still around.”- testing centre technician Thomas Grixti
In August, Malta again found itself in the midst of a growing number of new infections, resulting in around 500 active cases by mid-August. This was the result of a couple of factors: re-opening of the airport, and mass gatherings such as village feasts and large parties.
Malta’s new normal
Malta’s new normal includes the widespread use of facemasks in shops, salons, supermarkets, buses, and most indoor places. Almost all restaurants have reopened, save the few which decided to remain shut for financial reasons. Many offices have asked workers to return, although some have embraced working-from-home. Social distancing is no longer observed – no surprise considering the Maltese are notoriously bad at queuing. Large dance parties have been cancelled and feast celebrations are not taking place. Cinemas have their own rules, such as distance between patrons. Beaches are slightly less crowded than usual, due to the lower numbers of tourists.