Ukraine Info: Updated info re. health issues for persons coming to Malta from Ukraine

Today the Malta Refugee Council and representatives of the Ukrainian community here held a meeting with a representative of Malta’s Public Health authorities. The aim of the meeting was to clarify health protocols for persons travelling to Malta from Ukraine.

A number of interesting points were made pertaining to health issues identified by WHO and the ECDC and that affect the situation of newly-arrived Urkianian nationals:

• relatively high percentage of non-vaccinated Ukrainian nationals, in relation to Covid-1 but also to other diseases that have been either eradicated or managed by the EU, such as polio and measles;
• possible HIV+ concerns, although not major; 
• presence of ‘resistant TB’ for which standard treatment is ineffective and for which Malta has limited antibiotics;
• fear and mistrust of radiation-based testing (e.g. X-ray).  

In view of thse considerations, the authorities deem medical screening to be necessary, to ensure treatment of conditions and prevention of further contagion inclhding through vaccinations. It was also mentioned that children’s access to schools is dependant on them being fully vaccinated diseases against which Maltese children are vaccinated. The lack of health documentation was also flagged, so it is decided that, in the absence of clear documents, vaccines will anyway be administered.

For Covid-19 purposes, Ukraine remains marked as dark red yet holders of documentation confirming 2 vaccinations will be treated as fully vaccinated.

Arrival protocols

All Ukrainains need to be screened for Covid-19 and other diseases.

Following arrival, all persons will go straight to quarantine. They may quarantine at a specific quarantine hotel, at a private hotel offered by the hotels association or at their own places (friends, family, etc.)

They may use their own means of transport.

• 14 days’ quarantine if not vaccinated.
  

During or following quarantine, appointments need to be made for further health screening. Persons who apply for Temporary Protection will be referred for medical appointments by the International Protection Agency. Persons who do not seek Temporary Protection should get in touch with SOS Malta for an appointment to be scheduled.

Any vaccines that are needed will be given (polio, rubella, TB, diptheria, tetanus, etc.)

The Ukrainain community has set up an information stand at the Malta International Airport, providing information on documentation procedures, quarantine and other aspects. They also provide material support to persons in quarantine.

Further information on the communtiy and its activities will be provided in future posts.