Iceland Makes PCR Test at the Border Mandatory for All Arrivals, Followed by 5-6 Days of Quarantine and Second Test

For all arrivals, Iceland has revised its COVID-19 entry screening protocols by abolishing the 14-day self-quarantine option for travellers instead of conducting two COVID-19 checks.

From January 15, until May 1, all travelers reaching Iceland will have to undergo a PCR test upon arrival, and then self-isolate for a period of five or six days. They will then be eligible to take a second test, and if both are negative, they can leave quarantine.

The government also announced that the option to remain in quarantine for two weeks instead of being tested is no longer possible.

Commenting on the new entry screening measures, the Prime Minister of Iceland Katrín Jakobsdóttir said that Iceland has been fortunate enough to keep under control the most recent wave of COVID-19 infections.

“The remarkable patience, understanding, and adherence to domestic restrictions that our people have shown have been key to the progress made so far, as well as success in limiting the inflow of new sources of infection at the border,” she asserted.

At the same time, she noted that while Iceland is looking forward to returning life to normal, and to start welcoming visitors from around the world as soon as possible, it remains a priority for the government to protect its citizens while gradually increasing vaccination efforts.

In a joint press release, Iceland’s Ministry of Health, Prime Minister’s Office, and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs note that the new entry measures are in compliance with the Chief Epidemiologist of Iceland, whose assessment shows that there is still a high risk of new infections “leaking” through the border.

At the same time, exempt from all types of restrictions will remain those who hold proof that they have recovered from the virus, as well as those who can prove they have been vaccinated against the virus.

After May 1, the border measures will be applied according to the EU Council’s recommendation on color-coded maps and will be based on weekly data issued by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

Countries will be risk-assessed into green, orange, and red zones according to the number of infections registered in their territory within the previous two weeks before the publication of the list. Passengers from COVID-19 low-risk countries will be exempt from self-isolation and a second screening if they present proof of a negative PCR test prior to departure.

Iceland has so far registered a total of 5,970 Coronavirus cases in its territory, with 29 deaths, and only 143 current active cases.

At the very beginning of this month, Iceland authorities decided that children born in 2005 or later would no longer be exempted from the Coronavirus quarantine rules when entering Iceland after the Chief Epidemiologist noted that “there are also indications that children are more susceptible to it (COVID-19).”