On the 5 August 2025, parliament enacted Act No. XXVIII of 2025 amending the Prevention of Disease Ordinance, Cap. 36 of the laws of Malta.
The amendments delete Article 13 of the law, which previously read:
"(1) Where the Superintendent [of Public Health] has reason to suspect that a person may spread disease he may, by order, restrict the movements of such person or suspend him from attending to his work for a period not exceeding four weeks, which period may be extended up to ten weeks for the purpose of finalising such microbiological tests as may be necessary.
(2) Any person who acts in contravention of the provisions of this article shall be guilty of an offence against this Ordinance."
Article 13 was previously relied upon by the public health authorities and the Immigration Police to order the detention of migrants who arrived on the territory in an irregular manner, including asylum seekers, pending a medical clearance.
For the previous version of the Prevention of Disease Ordinance, Chapter 36, of the Laws of Malta, as amended by Legal Notice 407 of 2007, click here.
For the amending Act, click here.