Photo: Ragnar Th. Sigurðsson - www.arctic-images.com
Passengers arriving in Iceland from 15 June can choose to be tested for COVID-19 or to go into quarantine for two weeks. This is in line with the Chief Epidemiologist's recommendations and the preparations are now underway for testing at the Icelandic boarder.
“Utmost care is being taken not to jeopardize the success achieved in Iceland during the COVID-19 pandemic as Iceland prepares to offer tests for travelers on the 15 June 2020,” says Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir.
On 15 June 2020 all passengers arriving in Iceland can choose to be screened upon arrival for COVID-19.Those who opt out of testing will have to self-quarantine for two weeks. Children born in 2005 and later will be exempt from quarantine and screening requirements.
The Chief Epidemiologist, under the leadership of the Minster of Health, is responsible for the preparations of the screenings. Additionally, both the Police and Civil Protection Unit are involved in the implementation for border controls and infection tracing.
The pre-registration process will facilitate testing and shorten wait times for passengers. The analysis of tests will be carried out by deCode genetics, an Icelandic company that has offered to loan equipment and facilitate testing in collaboration with The National University Hospital of Iceland.
Passengers are required to fill out a pre-registration form (available soon on
www.covid.is) before departure to Iceland, which requires passengers to provide their personal details and contact information, flight information, travel dates and address(es) during their stay in Iceland. The form also includes a declaration of health and passengers are required to provide information on countries they have visited before arrival, whether they have any symptoms of COVID-19, whether they have been diagnosed with COVID-19 before their arrival, or if they have been in close contact with an infected individual.
Testing will be available at Keflavik airport and in Seydisfjordur (for passengers arriving on the Smyril Line) for those who opt to be tested on arrival in Iceland. Passengers arriving in other international airports (Reykjavik, Akureyri, Egilsstadir) or ports may be tested at the closest local healthcare centre.
Those who test positive will be offered to undergo further tests to determine whether they have an active infection. In the case of an active infection, the passenger must self-isolate.
The preparations for the testing are now underway in collaboration with the main stakeholders of the project. Presently, 2000 samples can be analysed daily. This will be a limiting factor for airlines and maritime companies.
In accordance with Icelandic laws, the test will cost 15000 ISK and the Minister of Health will issue a regulation setting out the fee and other issues regarding testing.
All travellers are encouraged to take precautionary measures to protect themselves and others, such as frequent handwashing, use of disinfectants, the two-meter social distancing guidelines, and to respect health safety regulations in place. You can find further information about testing and traveling to Iceland here on www.covid.is/english, the main information site for the COVID-19 pandemic in Iceland.
Iceland will continue to implement the
travel restrictions imposed for the Schengen Area, which are currently due to remain in place until 15 June 2020. These restrictions may be extended until 1 July, but this remains to be decided by Schengen member states. While these restrictions are in place, foreign nationals, other than EU/EEA, EFTA or UK nationals, are generally not allowed to enter Iceland.
