The Maltese health authorities are following developments and monitoring the evolving global situation of COVID-19 closely, and surveillance and containment measures for the outbreak of COVID-19 are continuously being enhanced. In line with the recommendation issued by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control today, the 2nd March, laboratory testing for COVID-19 will be performed for patients who are suffering from acute respiratory tract infection with sudden onset of cough, fever or shortness of breath and who have been in countries within which local transmission of COVID-19 has been reported in the previous 14 days.
These countries and regions include:
- Western Pacific Region
- China, including Hong Kong
- Republic of Korea
- Japan
- Singapore
- Australia
- Malaysia
- Vietnam
- European Region
- Italy
- France
- Germany
- Spain
- United Kingdom
- Norway
- Croatia
- Netherlands
- San Marino
- South East Asian Region
- Thailand
- Eastern Mediterranean Region
- Iran
- United Arab Emirates
- Region of the Americas
- Canada
- United States of America
People with these symptoms who have returned from these countries within the last 14 days should call their doctor or the COVID-19 helpline on 21324086. They are advised to refrain from visiting doctors’ clinics, health centres or the casualty department in the first instance.
The recommendation for self-quarantine remains for those countries and regions where there is high sustained transmission which are as previously notified:
- Northern part of Italy – Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto and Emilia Romagna
- China, including Hong Kong
- Singapore
- Japan
- Iran
- South Korea
The general public are reminded to take the necessary precautions for prevention of respiratory infections:
- Clean: Clean hands often by washing with soap and water or using alcohol hand rub.
- Contain: Contain germs by staying at home if unwell; do not go to work or school until one is better. Do not visit patients in hospital if you are sick.
- Cover: Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze into bare hands. Do not leave tissues running around.
- Do not sneeze or cough into your hands as you may contaminate objects or people that you touch.
For more information, the general public can call the COVID-19 helpline on 21324086 or visit the website covid19.gov.mt.
