What is Coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are viruses which cause respiratory symptoms ranging from the common cold to more serious illnesses such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). They are a family of viruses which are present both in humans and in animals. They are spread from one person to another through:
- Coughing and sneezing (via droplets)
- Hands which have become contaminated with the virus after touching contaminated surfaces or
- Through direct contact with a person infected with the coronavirus (such as caring for a sick person)
What are the symptoms?
From the information known to date, the common symptoms are one or more of the below:
- fever,
- cough,
- shortness of breath.
How severe is the infection?
It is generally mild, but it can cause severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome that can lead to death.
How long does it take for symptoms to develop?
The incubation period, time between contamination and the appearance of the first symptoms can take between 2 to 14 days.
How is COVID-19 coronavirus spread?
The COVID-19 infection is transmitted by people carrying the virus. The disease can be spread from person to person through respiratory droplets expelled from the nose or mouth when a person coughs or sneezes.
These droplets can persist for a few hours on objects or surfaces around the person in question. An infection with COVID-19 can occur if you touch these objects or surfaces and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth. COVID-19 can also be contracted by inhaling droplets from a sick person who has just coughed or sneezed. This is why it is important to keep a distance of more than two meters from a sick person and to respect basic hygiene measures.
Is there treatment or a vaccine?
No specific treatment exists. Treatment given by a medical doctor is to control the symptoms.
There are currently no vaccines against coronaviruses, including 2019-nCoV. Therefore, it is very important to prevent infection or contain further spread of an infection.
Advice for travellers
TRAVEL IN HIGH-RISK COUNTRIES
1. Persons entering Malta from any other country from 13:00CET on 13 March 2020 onwards must spend 14 days in mandatory quarantine, which 14 days start from the last day that they were in any of these countries. This is enforceable by law. Failures to observe this obligation will result in fines of €1,000.
2. Persons entering Malta after having travelled in any of the following countries at any time from 27 February 2020 onwards must spend 14 days in mandatory quarantine, which 14 days start from the last day that they were in any of these countries. This is enforceable by law. Failures to observe this obligation will result in fines of €1,000.
- Italy
- China (including Hong Kong)
- Singapore
- Japan
- Iran
- South Korea
3. Persons entering Malta after having travelled in any of the following countries at any time from 11 March 2020 onwards must spend 14 days in mandatory quarantine, which 14 days start from the last day that they were in any of these countries. This is enforceable by law. Failures to observe this obligation will result in fines of €1,000.
- Spain
- Germany
- France
- Switzerland
4. Persons living in the same households as any of the above persons (nos. 1 to 3) must also spend 14 days in mandatory quarantine. This is enforceable by law. Failures to observe this obligation will result in fines of €1,000.
TRAVEL IN COUNTRIES WITH LOCAL TRANSMISSION
In the following countries there is ongoing local transmission of the Novel Coronavirus. Avoid non-essential travel to these countries.
| Western Pacific |
Australia, Cambodia, China (incl. Hong Kong), Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Singapore, Vietnam. |
|---|
| South-East Asia |
Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Thailand. |
|---|
| Eastern Mediterranean |
Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates. |
|---|
| Americas |
Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, USA |
|---|
| Africa |
Algeria, Cameroon |
|---|
(List subject to change at any time.)
If you are in a country with local transmission:
- Avoid contact with sick people and those with respiratory diseases.
- Avoid visiting markets and places where live or dead animals are handled.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds OR use an alcohol-based disinfectant before eating, after using the toilet and after any contact with animals.
- Avoid contact with animals, their excretions or droppings.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, especially before washing your hands.
- Keep at a distance of at least one metre when talking to someone who may be sick.
If you have fever, cough, or shortness of breath on your return to Malta from any country with local transmission (including the high-risk countries):
- Phone the national COVID-19 Helpline on 111 (or +356 111 from abroad) for advice.
- Do not go to private clinics, emergency department, health centres or other healthcare facilities.
If you develop fever, cough, or shortness of breath during the 14 days since arrival in Malta from any country with local transmission (including the high-risk countries):
- Remain in your place of quarantine
- Phone the national COVID-19 Helpline on 111 (or +356 111 from abroad) for advice.
- Do not go to private clinics, emergency department, health centres or other healthcare facilities.
Guidance on quarantine
If you wish to contact the public health authorities on issues regarding quarantine, please send an email to quarantine.covid19@gov.mt.
If you are presently under quarantine and need help to get food or medicines, please call on 21 411 411.
Closure of schools
Advice for the general public
How do I protect myself?
To protect yourself and others from infection practice good hand and respiratory hygiene:
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and if not available, use alcohol-based hand disinfectant.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or inner side of flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing.
- DO NOT sneeze or cough into your hands as you may contaminate objects or people that you touch.
- Dispose of used tissues immediately in bins; DO NOT leave tissues running around.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth before washing your hands.
- Keep a one metre distance when talking to someone who is sick.
Should I wear facemasks?
In Malta, there is no need to wear facemasks. Wearing a mask in a preventive manner is not recommended by the World Health Organisation as a means to avoid contamination with the COVID-19 virus. Facemasks help people, who are already infected with the virus, from spreading it others.
Can I be contaminated by receiving a package from an affected area?
People receiving packages from affected areas are not at risk of contracting the novel coronavirus. From previous analysis, we know coronaviruses do not survive long on objects such as letters or packages.
Actions being taken by Maltese Health Authorities
Malta is taking the necessary precautions in relation to coronavirus, through various actions:
- National COVID-19 Helpline: 111 (or +356 111 from abroad)
- Thermal screening of all passengers arriving at Malta International Airport, Cruise liner and Catamaran Terminals.
- Travel advice for passengers travelling to or returning from affected areas is available at Airport, ports, freeports and cruise liner terminals.
- A coordinating team for national response is being led by the Superintendence of Public Health.
- Constant communication with WHO, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the EU Health Security Committee. The European Council is organizing regular teleconferences for all Member States to which Malta Public Health authorities participate to receive updates and advice on actions;
- Enhanced surveillance to detect suspected cases early;
- Communication with media, advice to clinicians and traveller’s advice;
- Preparedness plans at Mater Dei Hospital and Primary Care have been set up to isolate, diagnose and treat any suspected and confirmed cases.
Further information and resources
Websites
Printed Resources and Material
Novel Coronavirus Stand up Banners (
EN/
CN)
Stop the spread of Coronavirus - Poster (
EN/
MT)
How to Wash your Hands - Poster (
EN/
MT)
Contain the spread of Germs -
Poster
Social Media Frames -
(EN/MT)