Malta will end its obligation for travellers from China to present negative COVID-19 rapid antigen tests by the end of the month.

SchengenVisaInfo.com reported that the decision was taken by the Maltese authorities after an evaluation of the situation in China and Malta showed there was no risk in scrapping the restrictions.

Its announcement is in line with a decision taken by EU member states and Schengen Area countries to collectively drop restrictions on Chinese arrivals that were introduced last January.

“In light of the recent epidemiological developments and taking into account the opinion of the Health Security Committee, Member States agree to phase out the requirement for a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test for travellers from China to Member States by the end of February,” the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council said in a statement.

Malta introduced restrictions on Chinese travellers on 6th January, marking the first time since July 2022 that new COVID-19 measures were introduced.

It followed a fresh wave of panic, spurred by sections of the global media and international figures, over China’s decision to abandon its zero-COVID policy. However, that sense of fear has now clearly dissipated and Health Minister Chris Fearne recently stated in an interview that the pandemic is over.