New COVID-19 Regulation to Take Effect A.S.A.P. Minister of Health Svandís Svavarsdóttir. mbl.is/Arnþór Vala Hafstað Landsréttur, the Icelandic appellate court, yesterday dismissed a case regarding the mandatory stay at a quarantine hotel for travelers coming from high-risk COVID-19 countries. See our previous report here . The Reykjavík District Court had ruled such a mandatory stay illegal for people who could spend their time in quarantine elsewhere, provided the conditions were acceptable. Chief Epidemiologist Þórólfur Guðnason appealed that ruling to Landsréttur, but since it dismissed the case, the ruling stands.
Icelandic authorities have decided to enact regulations this week, allowing travelers from the US and UK who present certificates of vaccination for COVID-19 to enter the country.
Some Easing of Restrictions Expected Minister of Health Svandís Svavarsdóttir. mbl.is/Kristinn Magnússon Vala Hafstað
Morgunblaðiðreports. She is expected to present the memo and her decision at a government meeting tomorrow.
In an interview with
mbl.is Saturday, Svandís confirmed that the memo includes the easing of restrictions, but declined to go into detail.
Stricter rules took effect at Icelandic borders on Friday, and Þórólfur has stated that those are needed for the easing of restrictions domestically to be able to take place. He has, however, reiterated that this will have to be done very slowly and emphasized that the use of face masks will continue to be mandatory for quite some time.
Restrictions to Be Eased as of Monday Minister of Health Svandís Svavarsdóttir. mbl.is/Árni Sæberg Vala Hafstað
Icelandic Minister of Health Svandís Svavarsdóttir states there is every reason to ease disease prevention restrictions earlier than planned,
mbl.is reports. Current rules were originally meant to be in effect through February 16, but the decision has been made to ease restrictions as of Monday, February 8. The new rules will be in effect for three weeks.
The following rules will take effect on Monday:
Although the maximum number of people allowed to gather remains 20 in most cases, up to 150 people may attend religious services, including funerals.