COVID-19 in Iceland: everything tourists need to know

by Discover Iceland Discover Iceland

COVID-19 in Iceland: everything tourists need to know

The COVID-19 outbreak has changed a lot about travelling. Travelling, which was considered relaxing for the soul is now marked as unsafe for everyone’s health. Travelling was harshly effected just one month after the news of coronavirus outbreak came in. This global pandemic came with a long-term pause on travel and tourism, which made airline and entries to difference countries being closed. Now, people are unable to travel even outside their local areas. The rapid spread of this deadly virus made people go into isolation, stores being closed, streets empty and economy to stagger. Like many other countries including Italy, America, China, India, France, this pandemic had hit the country Iceland during February 2020, which resulted in badly effecting its massive tourism.

Iceland is a beautiful country and a very popular tourist spot. People visit here from different countries to explore its natural attractions such as volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, mountains, beaches, glaciers and much more. It had an average tourism rate of 1,33,001 till February 2020. However, after the coronavirus outbreak, a total number of arrivals in Iceland dropped to 79,873 during March and April.

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Iceland news and information for Iceland tourists during Covid-19

Currently, half of the world is going through this coronavirus crisis with increasing cases per day. With a total Icelandic population of 3, 36, 130 as of March 31, 2020, Iceland has now reported total confirmed cases of 1,799 people, 10 death cases, while recovered cases stand at 1, 750. Moreover, Iceland news shows that people are now facing the infection rate of 1 case per 204 inhabitants. Unlike other countries, Iceland did not go under complete economic lockdown, rather they are carrying out a usual approach to tackle this issue. Instead of isolating the total population if Iceland, they are performing massive testing. Rigorous testing is being carried out to track people who are infected and directly isolating them for a period of 14 days.

This the test-and-trace method in Iceland helped them to tackle this pandemic more quickly. People in Iceland who doesn’t show any symptoms of coronavirus also need to undergo testing, so that they do not miss out any infected person. Along with this rigorous testing, the Icelandic authorities came up with the phone tracking app, which helped in tracking the potential interactors. Moreover, the contact tracing team of Iceland made phone calls to those who were suspected of coming in contact with any coronavirus infected person. This unusual approach of tackling the pandemic made Icelanders continue their life with ease without going under a complete lockdown. Only those who were tested positive for COVID-19 were isolated along with their close acquaintances, the rest of the citizens continued a pretty normal life. Moreover, Iceland tourists during COVID-19 did not go into quarantine, those who showed no symptoms of COVID-19 were allowed to roam without any restrictions.

According to Iceland news, a very limited amount of restrictions was put on the citizens by allowing a total of only 20 people to gather at a time to maintain a social distance of about six feet. Several offices and places such as hair salon, night clubs, pools, gyms, art galleries, churches, doctors and dentist’s offices were closed during a hard time of March and April.

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As per the Iceland news, after 6 weeks of Lockdown in Iceland, the rate of new infection slowed down with only 1 case per day. Now, the citizens, as well as Iceland tourists during COVID-19, are allowed to gather in public places. The Icelandic authorities are now slowly removing the restrictions by allowing up to 50 people to gather at a time instead of 20 people. Universities and high schools are also ready to open in Iceland with permitting only 50 people at a time along with following the two-metre distancing measures. In addition to this, several stores and places in Iceland such as hair salons, museums, physical therapy clinics, pharmacies, grocery stores and massage parlours are ready to be opened with the same social distancing rules.

Other activities are also ready to be resumed for the citizens and Iceland tourists during COVID-19. People will be allowed to take part in outside activities but with several restrictions imposed on such as four individuals to be allowed to play at a time while maintaining social distance and limited sharing of equipment’s, which should be cleaned after every use. However, some facilities such as gym, swimming pools, nightclubs, bars, and similar establishments will remain closed.

According to the Iceland news, there are no special screenings at the Iceland airport and people are free to travel to Iceland, but the Icelandic authorities have emphasized that if the tourists travelling to Iceland or Iceland tourists during COVID-19 who have travelled from countries such as China, Iran, Italy, South-Korea experiences illness or any symptoms connected to coronavirus need to contact on the health line number 1700(+3545444113). This number applies to those who call from the non-Icelandic number.

Here are some tips to follow for Iceland tourists during COVID-19. These include:

Washing hands: If you are travelling to Iceland during Covid-19, always remember to wash your hands frequently with any soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Use hand-sanitizer: In case you are not cannot wash your hands, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer to keep your hands sanitized.

Wear a mask: Do not forget to carry and wear a face mask if you are travelling to Iceland during COVID-19. It will protect you as well as other people from catching coronavirus.

Avoid physical contact: when you travel to another country, avoid handshaking with people. They might be infected with the coronavirus.

Contact health line number: While travelling to Iceland, if you experience any symptoms related to coronaviruses such as cold, cough, and fever, contact their health line number 1700(+3545444113), if you calling from a non-Icelandic number.

These were some of the insights into the Icelandic news and some important information about COVID-19 for people who wish to travel to Iceland. For the time being, people must stay safe and healthy wherever they are.

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