Iceland: Authorities tighten COVID-19 restrictions September 21 /update 5

Event

From Monday, September 21, the Icelandic government has banned gatherings of more than 100 people and closed secondary schools and universities for four weeks to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Grade schools and preschools will remain open but with restrictions in place. All gatherings of less than one hundred people will be required to take place in a way that allows for people to keep a distance of two meters (6.5ft) from one another. Authorities have also extended the closure of pubs and nightclubs in Reykjavík and surrounding areas, which was originally brought in on Friday, September 18, until Sunday, September 27. The tightening of restrictions comes after 77 people were diagnosed with COVID-19 on Friday, the most in a single day since April and part of a general upward trend. A majority of the new cases have occurred in the capital, with the spread of the virus being linked to the city's nightlife establishments.

Residents of the EU and Schengen Area, the UK, and other countries deemed low-risk are permitted to enter Iceland, while those from other locations deemed high risk are prohibited from entry. There are some exclusions to the entry ban, including freight and transport workers, family members of Icelandic residents, diplomats, students, and those on essential business or traveling for urgent family reasons. All permitted arrivals are required to fill out a pre-registration form prior to departure and must either self-isolate for 14 days or submit to a COVID-19 test on arrival and five days after arrival, while remaining in isolation in the intervening period.

As of Tuesday, September 22, health authorities have reported 2377 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with ten associated deaths. Further international spread of the virus is expected over the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.