Sale of Fireworks Has Started

ICE-SAR’s rescue teams began selling fireworks yesterday. Every year, this is the biggest fundraiser for the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue — a nonprofit, noncommercial, volunteer-based organization that specializes in search and rescue services on land and at sea around the coast of Iceland. It operates close to 100 rescue units nationwide and has between four and five thousand active members.

For the past days, volunteers have been busy sorting the fireworks and getting ready for the sale, mbl.is reports.

“We ask people to try to spread the traffic, so we won’t have everyone coming in the afternoon on New Year’s Eve,” states Jónas Guðmundsson, who works for the air rescue unit. Most fireworks stands in the capital area will be open from 10 am till 10 pm, while opening hours elsewhere may vary. On New Year’s Day, they close at 4 pm.

“Of course, the atmosphere is special when you show up in the afternoon on New Year’s Eve,” Jónas adds, “but that could mean having to stand and wait in line.” Disease prevention rules will be carefully followed, and a limited number of people will be allowed to enter at a time. Traffic in parking lots will be directed, and everyone will wear a face mask.

Volunteers had to undergo rapid coronavirus tests before working in the warehouse. Besides, an effort will be made to limit the transfer of volunteers between fireworks stands.

You can look up the location of fireworks stands in your area here.