Abstract
Alone on an Island
Highlights
The official and predominant religion of Malta is Roman Catholicism
Those who did return to Malta following international travel were required to quarantine for two weeks and risked fines of up to €10,000.4 While someone in the first trimester of an unwanted pregnancy may have previously been able to plan a quick trip abroad without raising suspicion that they were traveling for abortion care, with travel restrictions in place, such trips were not executed
It is an oversimplification to consider the legality of abortion the sole barrier to accessing this care, especially in a country driven by culture and religion
Summary
The official and predominant religion of Malta is Roman Catholicism. This is recognized in Article 2 of the Constitution of Malta; the Constitution gives the church the duty and right to “teach which principles are right and which are wrong,” and religious education is compulsory.[1]. The coronavirus placed additional stress on those seeking abortion care when infection control measures were implemented.[3] As Malta is an island, travel outside of the country requires travel by boat or plane, both prohibited as part of government-imposed infection control measures. Those who did return to Malta following international travel were required to quarantine for two weeks and risked fines of up to €10,000.4 While someone in the first trimester of an unwanted pregnancy may have previously been able to plan a quick trip abroad without raising suspicion that they were traveling for abortion care, with travel restrictions in place, such trips were not executed. When pregnant women cannot access abortions, whether medical or surgical, they must self-manage their abortion care
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