The total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 infections in Iceland is 26 as of March 4, 2020. The individuals diagnosed are all Icelanders who have been recently travelling in Italy and Austria.
Icelandic authorities have taken preventive steps to contain the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus in the country. As Iceland has few entry points and the lowest population density in Europe, the country has been able to move swiftly to identify, communicate with and, where necessary, quarantine Icelandic residents who have been travelling from high risk areas.
“We are monitoring Icelandic residents arriving from high-risk areas. Any of those arriving from these areas are undergoing quarantine as a precaution and we are analyzing samples as soon as they show even mild symptoms,” says Alma D. Möller, Director of Health. “That means that a proportionally high number of samples have been taken from arriving passengers and we have therefore managed to achieve early detection of infections.
“We are committed to keeping our residents and visitors as informed and prepared as possible and given the small population of Iceland this is easily achieved. As we have not diagnosed any cases of infections transmitted in Iceland the steps taken have so far has proven effective.”
Residents of Iceland that arrive from areas with high risk of infection are advised to self-isolate for 14 days as a precaution. There are no restrictions in place for tourists and there are no restrictions in place for travel to Iceland.
If you are a visitor to Iceland and have any questions about COVID-19 please see landlaeknir.is.
Gatherings and assemblies
In light of numerous inquiries, the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management reiterates that no ban on assembly has been declared by the authorities in Iceland.
Nevertheless, it is important that people who have been in defined risk areas follow the authorities the advice on quarantine, which involves avoiding communication with other individuals for a 14-day period. At gatherings and meetings it is especially important that facilities for hand-washing and disinfecting are available.
National Infomation call centre 1700
The National Information call centre has received an unusually high number of calls from people requesting information on the COVID-19 virus. Calls have been transferred to the Red Cross Helpline, which has been able to assist in dealing with the high volume of calls.