Hove man cancels trip as Malta refuses to accept NHS vaccine app

Mark Holland booked a trip to the Mediterranean island which was officially added to the UK’s travel green list this week.

However, travellers are only able to enter the country with a printed NHS letter proving they have had both doses of a coronavirus vaccine - which takes "up to five working days" to be delivered.

Mr Holland, from Hove, did not have time to request a letter before travelling this week and asked whether a printout of NHS digital certificate would allow entry instead.

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Writing on Twitter, he said he was "so gutted" to discover that this would not be enough to allow him into the country.

He said: "I am fully vaccinated, had a negative PCR test yesterday but I had to cancel my trip."

Malta is known for beautiful beaches including Mellieha Bay

A number of holidaymakers have posted on Twitter to complain that the policy means their trips cannot go ahead as their flights are before the expected delivery time of the letter.

British High Commission for Malta, Kathy Ward, received a number of messages of frustrated travellers including Mr Holland.

She responded to say: “The only version of the vaccination certificate which will be accepted is the NHS postal version.

“So sorry for the difficulty this is causing for you and other travellers."

Hi Mark, the guidance we have received from the authorities is as per our travel advice i.e the only version of the vaccination certificate which will be accepted is the NHS postal version. So sorry for the difficulty this is causing for you and other travelers

— Cathy Ward (@CathyWardFCDO) June 29, 2021

Malta eventually announced that it would be accepting the NHS digital certificate as proof of vaccination.

However, it was too late for Mr Holland as the news came just as his flight as landing without him on it.

pic.twitter.com/5OCb09OfXK

— Mark Holland (@markhollandroad) July 1, 2021

Malta’s addition to the UK’s travel green list means people arriving in the UK would no longer be required to quarantine at home for 10 days.

The country’s arrival rules apply to anyone over 12, meaning those aged between 12 and 17 are unable to enter Malta under any circumstances as this age group is not currently being offered vaccinations in the UK.

@TheTimesofMalta I am fully vaccinated, had a negative PCR test yesterday but I had to cancel my trip as they would accept the UK NHS digital vaccination certificate, only a paper copy that we have to request and takes 5 days…so gutted 😔😔

— Mark Holland (@markhollandroad) June 30, 2021

Writing on Twitter, Katie Crookshank, from London, said: “We have a 12-year-old girl who is distraught as she now can’t be a bridesmaid in August. “The reputation of Malta being a family friendly island is being damaged.

“Her mental health has suffered anyway and now she's wondering why she's being punished.”

Because of the ridiculous rule regarding 12-17 yr olds, we have a 12 yr old in tears as she can't be a bridesmaid out in Malta in August. Her mental health has suffered anyway and now she's wondering why she's being punished! Why aren't pcrs enough - they're fine for 11 year olds

— Katie Crookshank (@kcrookers) June 28, 2021

Children aged five to 11 can travel to Malta if accompanied by fully vaccinated parents or legal guardian, and must show evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival.

No test is required for those aged under five.

On Wednesday, Malta was officially added to the UK’s travel green list, along with Madeira and the Balearic Islands

Those travelling to an amber list country must take Covid tests before departure and after their return, along with completing a passenger locator form and quarantining for 10 days once back in the UK.

Red list countries are those the UK government says present the highest risk from Covid and should not be visited "except in the most extreme of circumstances".