Malta says United kingdom determination to maintain island off safe journey checklist was ‘political’

Travelers walk to a taxi stand after arriving in Malta amid the coronavirus disorder (COVID-19) pandemic, as Malta formally restarted its tourism year, at Malta Worldwide Airport, outdoors Luqa, Malta June 1, 2021. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi

VALLETTA (Reuters) – Britain dismissed scientific suggestions and as an alternative took a political conclusion when it unsuccessful to put Malta on its checklist of protected journey places, Malta Overseas Minister Evarist Bartolo stated on Tuesday.

Britain very last 7 days revised its so-called Environmentally friendly Record of nations, that do not need quarantine on return, picking not to put any new nation on it, although eliminating Portugal.

Britons historically account for a 3rd of all arrivals on the modest Mediterranean island, and opposition politicians criticised the govt for failing to convince London that Malta was a protected vacationer vacation spot.

But Bartolo mentioned the British govt did not want its nationals to go overseas mainly because of concerns more than developing coronavirus situations at home.

“The (British federal government) is disregarding scientific assistance. It has taken a political final decision not to make it possible for travel any place, in spite of the tension it faces from airlines, tourism operators and the folks in normal,” he wrote on Facebook.

Malta on Monday documented no new COVID-19 conditions for the first time in 11 months. 50 % of its grownup population has been absolutely vaccinated and 75% have been given a initial dose of a vaccine – the highest level in the European Union.

Reporting by Chris Scicluna Editing by Crispian Balmer and Christopher Cushing