Vaccinated Tourists Not to Be Tested in Iceland as of Mid-June Minister of Health Svandís Svavarsdóttir. mbl.is/Arnþór Vala Hafstað
Starting mid-June, Icelandic authorities plan to stop testing arriving travelers for COVID-19 who present proof of vaccination or prior infection,
mbl.is reports. About 80 percent of travelers who arrive at Keflavík International Airport present certificates of COVID-19 vaccination or prior infection. At present, they are required to be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival, but are exempt from quarantine.
“The plan is to stop testing this group [of travelers], beginning mid-June,” Minister of Health Svandís Svavarsdóttir stated in Alþingi, the Icelandic parliament, yesterday, when speaking of the state of vaccinations and disease prevention in Iceland.
Plans to Ease COVID-19 Restrictions in Iceland Announced Minister of Health Svandís Svavarsdóttir. mbl.is/Eggert Jóhannesson Vala Hafstað
At present, a maximum of 20 people may gather in Iceland, but starting in May, that number is expected to be raised to somewhere between 20 and 200.
The plan hinges on vaccination goals having been met by the time restrictions are eased. The aim is for 35 percent of the 280,000 Icelanders who will be offered vaccinations to have received their first shot by the beginning of May, 50 percent by the end of May, and 75 percent by the end of June.
“We base our plan on four benchmarks,” Svandís states, “regarding the number of people who have received their first of two shots. The first benchmark, which we have already reached, is when 25 percent have received their first shot, which occurred in mid-April. That’s when we raised the maximum number of people allowed to gather to 20, [ext
Stricter Border Measures Ahead – Restrictions Likely Lifted by July From the press conference. mbl.is/Eggert Jóhannesson Vala Hafstað
Morgunblaðið reports. This was announced at a press conference at Harpa concert hall yesterday.
According to the vaccination schedule, everyone aged 70 and older will be vaccinated for COVID-19 by May 1, everyone aged 60 and older by June 1, and everyone aged 16 and older by July 1.
“The people in this country deserve this, after doing a great job fighting the pandemic,” stated Minister of Justice Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir.
Plans for stricter border measures were announced at the press conference, and Minister of Health Svandís Svavarsdóttir will introduce a bill to that effect in Alþingi, the Icelandic parliament, today.
Rules on Public Gatherings to Be Relaxed April 15 Minister of Health Svandís Svavarsdóttir. mbl.is/Eggert Jóhannesson Vala Hafstað
Rules regarding public gatherings in Iceland will be relaxed starting tomorrow, April 15,
mbl.is reports. This was announced by Minister of Health Svandís Svavarsdóttir following a government meeting yesterday. According to the govenment website, the main changes will be the following:
The maximum number of people allowed to gather will be increased from 10 to 20.
Swimming pools and fitness centers will reopen, but may only admit 50 percent of the maximum number of guests their licenses allow.
Sports training and competitions, with and without physical contact, will be able to resume. No spectators will be allowed.
New Rules at Border: Free Stay at Quarantine Hotel Fosshótel, Reykjavík, has been converted into a quarantine hotel. Photo/Árni Sæberg Vala Hafstað mbl.is reports. They are based on recommendations from Chief Epidemiologist Þórólfur Guðnason. The same rules apply to all passengers, regardless of where they come from. Everyone arriving in the country must be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival, quarantine for five days, and then be tested again. (See a note below, however, regarding children and those with certificates of prior infection). People are allowed to self-quarantine at home, provided conditions there meet the requirements listed below. Those who cannot quarantine at home or who prefer to stay at a quarantine hotel are welcome to do so