The Ministry of Health has announced changes to the rules regarding public gatherings. The new rules will come into play on August 28 and will be in place until September 10 at the least. The changes are not substantial, and previous releases and instructions are still in full effect. The main change is that the so-called 2-metre rule has been changed, along with allowing contact in sports, stage rehearsals, music performances, and film-making.

Previously, the rule stipulated that business operators ensure that there was a minimum of 2-metres between members of different households. This rule came into play, for example, in restaurants were spaces were created between tables.

The rule has now been amended to stipulate that distance restrictions should be in place between people who do not have close relationships.

This was revealed in a press release from the Ministry of Health earlier today.

The main changes are as follows:

The 2-metre rule: Changes to the restrictions for distance between individuals. Business operators previously had to ensure that there were 2 metres between individuals that do not share a household. The new stipulations state that business operators have to ensure that individuals that do not have close relationships stay 2 metres away from each other.

Sports: The new stipulations allow the practice of sports in general. Sports that are not part of The National Olympic and Sports Association of Iceland shall set instructions themselves or follow the same instructions for similar sports that are members of The National Olympic and Sports Association of Iceland.

Stage art, music, and film-making: Contact is allowed in stage rehearsals, music performances, and film-making. The same rules apply here that do for contact in sports.

Gyms: Restrictions due to risk of infection in gyms are the same as in swimming pools. Guests may not exceed half or less of the maximum approved visitor number in each place, according to the operating license.