MALTA (11-18 MARCH)
In December, before the coronavirus crisis, I booked my flights to Malta and my accommodation. Initially I reserved for one week but in February I decided to extend the trip one more week, until the day 25 March but in another hostel. I had to change the date of my return flight.
11 March 2020: Valencian Fallas Festival is cancells because of the coronavirus crisis. The same day I was travelling to Malta, the World Health Organization announces the COVID-19 viral disease is officially a pandemic.
"This is the first pandemic caused by a coronavirus," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a briefing in Geneva.
In Malta:
On Wednesday, March 11, Prime Minister Robert Abela announces a ban on all air and sea travel to and from Germany, France, Spain, and Switzerland beginning on Thursday, March 12, due to the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This follows an announcement on Tuesday, March 10, that Malta will suspend all travel with Italy.
Travelers who arrived in Malta from Germany, France, Spain, or Switzerland on March 11 will be subject to a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine. Anyone who traveled to Italy in the previous 14 days must also observe a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine. Police will reportedly conduct spot checks on quarantined individuals; those who breach the quarantine will be subject to fines.
As of March 11, there have been six confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Malta. Further international spread of the virus is expected over the coming days and weeks.
My flight arrived in Malta at 15h (3 pm). During my flight the restriction with Spain had not yet been announced. Only the visitors from Singapoure, South Korea, China, Iran and Japan had a mandatory quarantine. I saw an Asian traveller filling out some documents for the Government of Malta.
When I arrived at my accommodation, the staff still did not know these restrictions and they did not tell me anything. I talked to a Polish employee. He gave me a map of Malta and I paid a separate tourism fee that some hotels charge...
That same day I received an email from Ryanair announcing the cancellation of my flight back to Spain... and then I had to contact the Embassy of Spain in Valletta, Malta. I gave them my personal and flight details and they told me they would let me know when there were repatriation flights back to Spain.
11 March 2020: Valencian Fallas Festival is cancells because of the coronavirus crisis. The same day I was travelling to Malta, the World Health Organization announces the COVID-19 viral disease is officially a pandemic.
"This is the first pandemic caused by a coronavirus," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a briefing in Geneva.
In Malta:
On Wednesday, March 11, Prime Minister Robert Abela announces a ban on all air and sea travel to and from Germany, France, Spain, and Switzerland beginning on Thursday, March 12, due to the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This follows an announcement on Tuesday, March 10, that Malta will suspend all travel with Italy.
Travelers who arrived in Malta from Germany, France, Spain, or Switzerland on March 11 will be subject to a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine. Anyone who traveled to Italy in the previous 14 days must also observe a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine. Police will reportedly conduct spot checks on quarantined individuals; those who breach the quarantine will be subject to fines.
As of March 11, there have been six confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Malta. Further international spread of the virus is expected over the coming days and weeks.
My flight arrived in Malta at 15h (3 pm). During my flight the restriction with Spain had not yet been announced. Only the visitors from Singapoure, South Korea, China, Iran and Japan had a mandatory quarantine. I saw an Asian traveller filling out some documents for the Government of Malta.
When I arrived at my accommodation, the staff still did not know these restrictions and they did not tell me anything. I talked to a Polish employee. He gave me a map of Malta and I paid a separate tourism fee that some hotels charge...
That same day I received an email from Ryanair announcing the cancellation of my flight back to Spain... and then I had to contact the Embassy of Spain in Valletta, Malta. I gave them my personal and flight details and they told me they would let me know when there were repatriation flights back to Spain.
To sum up, I spent 7 days in Malta. From 11 March to 18. I was moved to a large single room, with TV, private bathroom, etc. Breakfast was included in the price.
The day after arriving, when I still didn't know anything about the restrictions, I spent the day outside, walking with a man I met there. Good thing I bought souvenirs (beach towel, key chains, magnets, a cap, etc.) because the next day my quarantine started and I didn't leave my room for a week, until the day of the repatriation flight.
PICTURES 11th March 2020 (Wednesday)
At the Malta Airport
Maltese flag
Photos taken from inside the bus throughout
the journey from the airport to the accommodation
Triq Nicolo' Isouard, Sliema
Triq Santa Margarita
A gorgeous view of the Independence Garden of Sliema along the sea front, used today also for fairs and events. The Garden were created in 1990 on a site where previously was a seacoast farm
Stray ginger tabby cat having a rest under a bench
Malta is known as the island of cats. There are many cats in Malta. In the homes, in the streets, in the parks, by the water’s edge, fat cats live happily. In fact, Malta could well be the best place in the world to be a stray. The cats of Malta live happy lives with full bellies and not a care in the world. They pass their days snoozing in the sun and collecting titbits
Colourful big cat sculpture at Independence Garden in Sliema promenade.
It was created by sculptor Matthew Pandolfino and placed there during Sliema Art Festival
Hostel 94. Relaxing time in the shared lounge area
Malta bans flights
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