Valletta: Malta can no longer guarantee the rescue of migrants or allow their disembarkation during the coronavirus emergency, the Malta government said on Thursday.

Corruption scandals have dogged Malta in recent years.

It said the decision had been taken because its resources were stretched by the enforcement of measures to halt the spread of the coronavirus, as well as the risk that the migrants themselves may be carrying the virus.

The announcement came 24 hours after Italy closed its own harbours, saying its ports could not longer be considered safe because of the pandemic.