Two men have tested positive for COVID-19 after breaking quarantine, RÚV reports. The two men, who are Romanian nationals, were arrested alongside a third companion on Friday in Selfoss, South Iceland on suspicion of robbery. Further investigation revealed they had arrived in the country from London less than 14 days ago and should, therefore, have been in quarantine. Sixteen South Iceland police officers have been quarantined as a result of the case.
Police then began a search for another group of Romanian nationals who were believed to have had contact with those arrested and likely also violating quarantine regulations, but the group presented themselves at a central Reykjavík police station last night. The men have been placed in the quarantine hotel on Rauðarárstígur, in Reykjavík, where their two companions who tested positive for COVID-19 are also in isolation.
Chief Epidemiologist Stresses Importance of Border Screening
Chief Epidemiologist Þórólfur Guðnason stated the incident was a reminder that the novel coronavirus is still a threat in Iceland. “We have been in a sort of calm period lately, but we know that this situation and this danger will continue to threaten us,” Þórólfur stated. “And it will certainly do so in the coming months. And the lesson from that, I think, is first and foremost the importance of testing at the border. We would have very likely reached these parties sooner if we had screened them immediately upon arrival.”
Iceland began testing travellers arriving in the country today. Passengers can choose between a COVID-19 test upon arrival or to undergo a 14-day quarantine. Prior to today, all passengers were required to undergo a 14-day quarantine upon arrival in the country.
