While there are 34 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Iceland, nearly 400 Icelandic residents are currently in home-based quarantine to prevent the spread of the virus. Many have been wondering whether they will receive a salary if they are unable to work from home. Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir told RÚV the government, employers, and trade unions are working toward a solution that will ensure those in quarantine will receive wages.
The Icelandic government, the Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise (SA), and the Icelandic Confederation of Labour (ASÍ) met yesterday to work toward an agreement on the matter, but have yet to announce that the agreement has been finalised.
In an interview with Stöð 2 yesterday, the Prime Minister emphasised that all parties agreed those in quarantine should be paid wages. “The day was spent by all the parties sitting together to find solutions. As I understand it now at the end of the day, we are close to a solution that will ensure everyone receives wages in quarantine and that will be through a co-operative path where we will all contribute,” Katrín stated.
All 34 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Iceland are among Icelandic residents who contracted the virus abroad in Italy or Austria. Authorities added Austria’s Ischgl ski region to the list of high-risk areas today, which includes China, Italy, South Korea, and Iran.
For the most updated information on COVID-19 in Iceland, visit the Directorate of Health website.
