New Rules at Border: Free Stay at Quarantine Hotel

Fosshótel, Reykjavík, has been converted into a quarantine hotel.

Fosshótel, Reykjavík, has been converted into a quarantine hotel. Photo/Árni Sæberg

Vala Hafstað

New disease prevention rules took effect at Icelandic borders at midnight, mbl.is reports. They are based on recommendations from Chief Epidemiologist Þórólfur Guðnason.

The same rules apply to all passengers, regardless of where they come from.

Everyone arriving in the country must be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival, quarantine for five days, and then be tested again. (See a note below, however, regarding children and those with certificates of prior infection).

People are allowed to self-quarantine at home, provided conditions there meet the requirements listed below. Those who cannot quarantine at home or who prefer to stay at a quarantine hotel are welcome to do so at no cost.

Minister of Health Svandís Svavarsdóttir.

Minister of Health Svandís Svavarsdóttir. Photo/Árni Sæberg

Those who choose to quarantine at home must dwell there alone, but if anyone else dwells there, those people must follow all rules as if they themselves were quarantined.

Should individuals violate quarantine rules at home, the chief epidemiologist may decide that they must complete quarantine at a quarantine facility.

People who quarantine at a quarantine hotel will be allowed to spend time outdoors, and special attention will be given to children in that regard.

Children born in 2005 or later are required to be tested for COVID-19 at the border. A child traveling with an individual who must be quarantined is obliged to quarantine with that person. A child traveling alone is not required to quarantine.

Travelers who bring certificates of prior infection or antibodies must be tested for COVID-19, just like others, since there are indications they can transmit the disease. They are not required to spend time in quarantine, but must await the results of the first test at their accommodation. This requirement is temporary and will be reassessed by May 1.

The chief epidemiologist recommends increased monitoring of people who quarantine at home and a major increase in fines for violating quarantine rules. The minister of health has sent those recommendations to the state prosecutor and to the national police commissioner.

The new rules are listed on the government website .

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