Quarantine for those who have potentially been exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus domestically will be shortened from 14 days to 7 in Iceland. Individuals will take a test on the seventh day and will be released from quarantine if they test negative. Iceland’s number of active domestic cases has been dropping gradually and social restrictions are expected to be loosened from September 27.
Local Cases Numbers Drop as Global Case Numbers Rise
Icleand’s Chief Epidemiologist Þórólfur Guðnason went over the change to quarantine in a briefing in Reykjavík today. He added that although the number of active COVID-19 cases was dropping in Iceland and loosened restrictions were likely on the horizon, the same was not the case abroad. Yesterday showed a record number of new cases globally. Considering this fact, Þórólfur stated it would be unwise to loosen border restrictions for the time being. All travellers arriving in Iceland from abroad must currently undergo double testing and a five-day quarantine, regardless of nationality or point or origin.
Risk Assessment System in the Works
Chief Superintendent Víðir Reynisson stated that the Civil Protection Department was working on a “warning system” similar to that used for local weather in order to help define risk levels throughout the pandemic. The system, which is to be made public by the end of this week, is meant to help institutions and individuals better evaluate the risk involved in their actions.
