"No normal situation"

The Mayor of Grindavík, Fannar Jónasson said to Morgunblaðið yesterday that it is hoped that cold water can be restored in town, so business operations can be resumed.

Jónasson says he understands the company owners’ view that it is desirable that business can resume, although this is problematic as the infrastructure in the town is not adequately fixed.

Chief of the South-East Police Úlfar Lúðvíksson will present a new arrangement for access to Grindavík town today, but the decisions on this matter have been in the hands of the State Police since Monday, January 15. When asked, Jónasson says that while inflation is still ongoing following each eruption, with the likelihood of another pending eruption, access restrictions must be maintained. “As long as such events re-occur, there will be no normal situation,” he says, and reiterates that first and foremost, attention must be paid to the safety of the area, especially with regard to the risk of fissures.

Last week, Jónasson met with the Nordic ambassadors in Iceland, where the ambassadors offered their support for Grindavík. Among other things, the possibility of expert assistance and assistance from the Nordic countries in the import of modular houses was discussed, but no details are available.