Concern was expressed by the European Commission over Malta’s recent decision to ban travellers who have not yet been fully vaccinated and in possession of certificates from entering the country. Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand stated in a press briefing earlier today how that despite being true member states are allowed to implement restrictions to protect public health, any measure which restricts freedom of movement needs to be proportionate and non-discriminatory.
He added how a vaccination certificate ‘cannot be a precondition for the exercise of free movement, this is one of the main principles of the EU Digital COVID-19 certificate regulation.’ These latest measures are feared as being discriminatory against people who are not fully vaccinated. Contact has been made with Malta, Wigand stated, asking for explanation of the measures. The issue will be raised in a member states coordination meeting.
Prime Minister Robert Abela described the measures as tough but necessary since Malta’s active cases shot up from 28 to over 600 in just two weeks. The measures in place restrict travel to only those with a recognised vaccine certificate as of Wednesday 14th.
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