Some Restrictions Lifted in Iceland Today

Some restrictions regarding public gatherings in Iceland, imposed to limit the spread of COVID-19, were lifted at midnight. The new rules will be in effect through May 31, or until authorities reassess the situation, Morgunblaðið reports.

The new rules increase the maximum number of people who may gather at once from 20 to 50.

At all public gatherings, people will be required to keep a distance of two meters.

Preschools and grade schools will operate as usual without any restrictions regarding group sizes or distance between students. Children’s sports activities, too, are exempt from restrictions.

Museums, movie theaters, libraries, hair salons, massage centers, beauty salons, and physical therapy centers will be able to reopen today, provided that no more than 50 people are in the same space at once and a distance of two meters is kept between guests and clients.

Banks will reopen their branches soon.

Flight and driving lessons are permitted, as long as people have no symptoms of illness.

As before, large stores will be able to receive no more than 100 customers at a time.

Secondary schools and universities are not allowed to have more than 50 people in a room.

Elective surgery, screening services and dental services are permitted again.

Organized athletic practices and matches are allowed without spectators.

Other sports activities are allowed outdoors with the following restrictions:

No more than seven people are allowed to practice together. Indoor practices are limited to four people in one space. A distance of two meters must be kept between individuals.

Swimming lessons for school-aged children are allowed, but swimming pools will remain closed to the public. Fitness centers, too, will remain closed. So will night clubs, pubs, arcades, and similar businesses.

Restaurants that serve alcohol are required to close by 11 pm every day of the week.

Conferences, classes, parties, church services and similar events must respect the 50-people limit.