Category: Politics and Society

From the offices of the Directorate of Labor.

Up to 13 Percent Unemployment Rate Forecast for April

1 Apr The Directorate of Labor estimates that reported unemployment in Iceland was 7.5-8 percent in March, could reach 12-13 percent in April, and 11-12 percent in May.

Icelandair and Government Sign Agreement

30 Mar An agreement was signed Friday between Icelandair and the Icelandic State, in which Icelandair agrees to continue flying to Boston and either to London or Stockholm two days a week.

From the press conference Saturday. From left: Minister of Transport and Local Government Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson, Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, and Finance Minister Bjarni Benediktsson.

Sweeping Economic Measures in Response to Pandemic

23 Mar The Icelandic government announced sweeping economic measures Saturday, intended to limit the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chief Epidemiologist Þórólfur Guðnason, Minister of Health Svandís Svavarsdóttir, Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir and Minister for Education Lilja Alfreðsdóttir.

Public Gatherings Limited to 20 People

23 Mar Icelandic authorities announced stricter measures last night, intended to further slow the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Ásgeir Jónsson, governor of the Central Bank of Iceland.

Central Bank of Iceland Lowers Interest Rates

19 Mar The Central Bank of Iceland announced yesterday that it is lowering interests rates by 0.50 percentage points in response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

EFTA Citizens Exempt from Ban on Travel to EU

18 Mar Citizens of EFTA countries and the UK are exempt from the ban approved by the EU yesterday on non-essential travel to the European Union.

Minister of Justice Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir.

Icelandic Government Discusses Ban on Travel to Schengen Area

17 Mar The 30-day ban on non-essential travel to the Schengen Area in Europe, called for last night by German Foreign Minister and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, will be discussed at a government meeting in Iceland today.

Taking it easy at home seems like the best option right now.

Ban on Public Gatherings in Effect in Iceland

16 Mar A four-week ban on public gatherings of more than 100 people took effect in Iceland at midnight.

Director of Health Alma Möller and CEO of the Federation of Trade and Services Andrés Magnússon.

No Reason for People to Hoard

13 Mar At a press conference this afternoon, health officials stated that the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Iceland is now 128.

Efling and Reykjavík Reach Deal to End Strike

10 Mar Efling union and Reykjavík City signed a wage contract in the early morning hours.

BSRB Strikes Called Off

9 Mar All strikes of members of BSRB– the Icelandic Federation of State and Municipal Employees, meant to begin at midnight, have been called off.

Economic Impact of COVID-19 Likely to Be Short-Term

26 Feb Ásgeir Jónsson, governor of the Central Bank of Iceland, states that the economic effect of the spread of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, is mainly due to measures taken to contain the epidemic.

Will Public Services Be Paralyzed by Strike?

19 Feb It will be clear tomorrow morning whether 18,000 members of BSRB – the Federation of State and Municipal Employees – will go on strike, starting March 9.