From Iceland — Minister Of Health Temporarily Steps Down

Minister Of Health Temporarily Steps Down

Published October 7, 2020

Photo by
Art Bicnick

An announcement on the cabinet website has revealed that the Minister of Health, Svandís Svavarsdóttir, is on temporary leave until the 15th of October.

According to Vísir, this is for personal reasons which have not been specified. However, Stundin reports that their sources say this is due to an illness in the family.

Svandís has spoken candidly in the past about her daughter Una’s struggle with cancer, writing on her Facebook last July that “my aim will be to support her through this [treatment] process with family and friends. It is the biggest project of my life.”

In the meantime, her role as Minister of Health will be filled by Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources.

Note: Due to the effect the Coronavirus is having on tourism in Iceland, it’s become increasingly difficult for the Grapevine to survive. If you enjoy our content and want to help the Grapevine’s journalists do things like eat and pay rent, please consider joining our High Five Club.

You can also check out our shop, loaded with books, apparel and other cool merch, that you can buy and have delivered right to your door.

Support The Reykjavík Grapevine!
Buy subscriptions, t-shirts and more from our shop right here!

Show Me More!