Iceland’s Strictest Measures Since Beginning of COVID-19
The government announced the new measures at Harpa Concert Hall yesterday afternoon. mbl.is/Kristinn Magnússon
Reacting to rising numbers of new confirmed domestic cases of COVID-19 in Iceland in recent days, the Icelandic government yesterday announced its strictest disease prevention measures since the beginning of the pandemic. Those took effect at midnight and will remain in effect for three weeks.
Three group infections have been detected in the country, and all three involve infections of the so-called British variant of the coronavirus, believed to be more easily transmitted than most other variants.
The 2-meter social distancing rule remains in effect, as do rules regarding the use of face masks.
The new rules include the following:
The maximum number of people allowed to gather will now be limited to ten. This includes everyone born in 2014 and earlier.
Religious associations may hold functions with up to 30 guests. The maximum number of people permitted at receptions after funerals, confirmations and similar ceremonies is restricted to ten.
Swimming pools are closed.
Fitness centers are closed.
Sports, indoor or outdoor, involving children or adults, which require participants to be closer than 2 meters apart, or in which there is risk of transmission of the virus by touch resulting from the use of shared equipment, are not permitted.
Stage performances are not permitted, and movie theaters are closed.
Night clubs, bars, gaming establishments and gambling machines are closed.
Driving lessons and aviation lessons with an instructor are not permitted.
Restaurants may stay open until 10 pm, with a maximum of 20 guests in each separate area. New guests may be admitted until 9 pm.
Stores may admit five persons for every 10 m2 of their floor area, to a maximum of 50 persons.
Hair salons, beauty parlors and comparable establishments may continue operations.
Grade schools, music schools, secondary schools and universities will be closed as of today and until the beginning of the traditional Easter holidays. Regulations regarding the operation of schools after Easter break are in preparation and will be announced in the next few days.
Only preschools remain open.
The hope is that these strict measures will suffice to contain the spread of the virus. Not since November 30 had as many domestic cases been confirmed in Iceland as Wednesday, when 17 were confirmed, at least 11 of which included grade school students.
For a more detailed list of the new rules, see here.
