A passenger that was repatriated to Malta on an Air Malta flight from Amsterdam tested positive to COVID-19 during a routine swab test, the national carrier said in a statement.

Earlier today, the health authorities announced one new sporadic case today, specifying that it was imported. Concerns were raised since the imported case comes after Malta reopened its ports and airport to passengers from designated safe countries on 1st July. Come 15th July, Malta will be opening its ports and airports without restriction.

Air Malta advises all passengers on repatriation flights to conduct a swab test on their return to Malta.

“The flight from Amsterdam was not one of the air bridge destinations which were opened on the 1st of July 2020.

“The standard contact tracing procedure commenced by the Health Authorities. All standard precautionary protocols as recommended by EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) and the Health Authorities have been followed including the sanitisation of the aircraft.”