From Iceland — Arriving Passengers Refuse Airport Test, Later Agree To It

Arriving Passengers Refuse Airport Test, Later Agree To It

Published January 18, 2021

John Pearson
Photo by
Vísir/Vilhelm

A family who arrived at Keflavík Airport on Saturday initially refused to undergo mandatory coronavirus screening, but ultimately agreed to testing.

Chief police officer at the airport, Sigurgeir Sigmundsson, told Visir that a couple with young children waited for several hours at the border before apparently changing their minds. They then took the test and were allowed into the country, although the children were exempt from testing due to their ages.

The regulations changed on Friday last week, when the previously available option of 14-day quarantine without testing was withdrawn.

Sigurgeir told reporters that the new guidelines have been for the most part going well, and were welcomed by police and border workers at the airport.

“There’s just one rule for everybody,” he said. “Border patrol and police don’t have to argue with people anymore, talking to people who intend to go into 14-day quarantine without screening.”

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!