Iceland will be reinstating their policy on Covid-19 testing requirements before departure as an entry requirement from Tuesday, 27 July 2021, according to a press release published by the Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
From 27 July 2021, vaccinated travelers and those who have recovered from Covid-19 will once again be required to test negative for the virus before being allowed to enter Iceland.
The Covid tests can be either a PCR test or a rapid antigen test, being taken no earlier than 72 hours before departure.
Unvaccinated travelers will also be required to present a negative Covid-19 test and undergo a double PCR screening and a five-day quarantine in-between; this meaning that one screening is done before quarantine and another screening is done after.
Children born in 2005 or later will still be exempt from all border measures.
Iceland is experiencing another wave of Covid-19 infections, most of which are thought to be the Delta variant. This wave of infections is leading authorities to roll back some of their efforts to ease travel restrictions to the country in an effort to mitigate risk.
At the same time, the country is taking other measures and reinstating older restrictions in public places, according to another press release describing the newly reinstated restrictions. The new restrictions will be in-effect from 25 July 2021 forward. These include:
- A limit of 200 people at gatherings.
- 1-meter social distancing.
- Facemasks are required.
- A limit of 200 people in any shopping center.
- Fitness centers, swimming pools, and bathing facilities will be open at 75% of capacity.
- Museums can open at 75% of capacity.
- Sports exercises and tournaments for children and adults are allowed with a maximum of 100 people playing and 200 spectators.
- Stage performances and other comparable activities will be allowed, with a maximum of 100 performers and 200 spectators.
- There is a limit of 200 people for church or religious observations or ceremonies.
- Restaurants and bars must close at 23:00 and be emptied by midnight. Alcohol can only be served to seated individuals, and guests must be registered. There is also a limit of 100 patrons inside.
The Icelandic Ministries of Health and Foreign Affairs have made it clear that they believe that these are important steps to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the country, despite opposition to more restrictive measures.
“It is considered important to step in with restrictions as soon as possible to curb the spread of infection. With widespread infections among vulnerable groups, serious consequences are considered likely,” the press release reads.
In addition to all mentioned above, the press release also notes that the Icelandic Ministry of Health is offering those who have received the Janssen vaccine a second vaccination in August 2021.
To read the Ministry of Health’s press release regarding the new restrictions, click this link.
