Unusual Flight from Risk Area

Tomorrow, 70 Icelanders, who have been vacationing in Italy – an area defined as a risk area for contracting COVID-19 - will be transported to Iceland from Verona by Icelandair, mbl.is reports.

When the group of Icelanders left for Verona, the city was still outside the defined risk area in Italy, which was limited to a few northern areas, but shortly after they left, all of Italy was defined as a risk area. Other places that have been defined as risk areas are China, South Korea, Iran and Ischgl ski resort in Austria.

“This is an unusual flight,” states Ásdís Ýr Pétursdóttir, Icelandair’s media representative. Specific guidelines from the Directorate of Health and the chief epidemiologist will be followed.

In addition to a captain and co-pilot, there will be four flight attendants on board, all of whom are certified nurses. Their role regards safety on board only. Passengers will be provided with a packed meal before the flight and are encouraged to bring a beverage on board, since no service or sale of refreshments will be offered during the flight.

“As a precautionary measure, crew members will be dressed in protective gowns - similar to those used by healthcare workers. Besides, all passengers will be given masks to wear,” she states.

After arriving in Iceland, the passengers will stay in quarantine for 14 days. Crew members are not expected to be subjected to quarantine, due to the precautions taken.

The Icelandair aircraft will be disinfected after landing at Keflavík International Airport. Isavia, the company that operates the airport, will organize the reception of the passengers, in cooperation with the Directorate of Health.