COVID-19
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Strong Actions In The Westman Islands Have Been Successful
The COVID-19 action committee concluded its work in the Westman Islands off the coast of southern Iceland yesterday after two continuous months of daily meetings, RÚV reports. There have been no new infections there since April 20th. The Westman Islands is one…
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Icelanders To Receive Domestic Travel Vouchers Worth 1.25 Billion ISK
Every Icelander aged over 18 will receive a voucher worth 5,000 ISK to be spent on domestic tourism from the government. The first details of the programme were revealed in an introductory meeting broadcast on RÚV this morning. Around 250,000 Icelanders will…
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COVID-19 In Iceland: Public Health Leaders Hold Final Press Conference
The final scheduled pandemic press conference was held today as Iceland enters the next phase of de-escalating its COVID-19 response. Further meetings will only be held if there are significant policy decisions or changes to the COVID-19 outbreak in Iceland, Visir reports.…
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Reminder: Numerous Coronavirus Restrictions Lifted Today
As reported, Iceland’s “state of emergency” due to the coronavirus lifts today. With it comes a number of eased restrictions that go into effect today. From 50 to 200 Starting today, the maximum group allowed for any social gathering is 200 people…
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COVID-19 In Iceland: Two Active Cases, State Of Emergency Lifts On Monday
The national emergency rating will be lowered on Monday, May 25th as Iceland enters the next phase of relaxing COVID-19 measures. No new cases were detected yesterday and one patient recovered, meaning there are currently two active infections in the country. Chief…
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Culture Pick: Sóttqueen – Postprent’s Exhibition Of Coronavirus-inspired Art
Postprent brings you the very best of Icelandic art from the coronavirus era in an exhibition opening at Ásmundarsalur this Saturday, May 23rd. Back in March, Postprent issued an open call to local artists for works inspired by the pandemic, posting all submissions…
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COVID-19 In Iceland: Four Active Cases, More Changes On Monday
One new case was detected by deCODE genetics yesterday, meaning here are currently four active infections in Iceland. Just five cases have been reported so far this month. Chief epidemiologist Þórólfur Guðnason expects Iceland to reach the milestone of no active infections…
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Reykjavík Newscast #3: Free tests, Presidents and Bars Opening Again
In this episode of Grapevine Newscast, we go over the newest developments of the opening of the Icelandic borders which are scheduled for the 15th of June; the upcoming presidential elections; and a few words about the bars and the swimming pools.…
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Plans For COVID-19 Isolation Corridors In Hotels This Summer
What happens if a tourist tests positive? It’s the question that has plagued us ever since the Prime Minister, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, announced that COVID-19 screenings would be carried out at Keflavik airport from June 15th to allow the country to re-open to…
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Fraught Negotiations Continue Between Icelandair And Flight Attendants
Representatives from Icelandair and the Iceland Aviation Association will meet again tonight at 17:00 to attempt to secure a wage agreement for flight crew, RÚV reports. Icelandair’s previous proposal was to increase flight attendants’ hours but keep their salary the same. Flight…
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COVID-19 In Iceland: Five Days Of No New Cases, Questions Remain About Re-Opening
The latest data in Iceland shows that there are now only six confirmed cases of coronavirus in Iceland, and five days have now passed without a new case popping up. 15% of Iceland’s population has been tested for the virus. At a…
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Reykjavík Quarantine Housing Closes
As of May 18th, Reykjavik’s designated quarantine housing on Rauðarárstígur has been closed, Vísir reports. The last patients were discharged last Wednesday, and given that the rate of infection has decreased greatly in the last weeks, it is no longer considered necessary…
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Hundreds Queue At Midnight To Celebrate Public Pools Re-opening
Public swimming pools in Reykjavik re-opened last night after almost two months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hundreds of Reykjavik residents celebrated greatly anticipated openings with a midnight swim. Reykjavik’s Mayor, Dagur B. Eggertsson, explained that the pools opened at…
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New Airline Play Hopes To Step In If Icelandair’s Struggle Continues
Anonymous investors are preparing to invest in Iceland’s newest airline, Play, as Icelandair struggles to avoid bankruptcy, but an airline industry official has warned that Icelandair may prove irreplaceable. Skuli Skúlason, chairman of the board at Play, told Mannlíf that several Icelandic…
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Katrín Jakobsdóttir Joins Progressive International, Warns of Right-Wing Surge
Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir has taken a seat on the advisory council for Progressive International, a new left-wing alliance. The advisory council, of which Katrín is now a member, is a group of left-wing politicians, activists and intellectuals who are responsible for…
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2-Week Quarantine For Arrivals Could Be Scrapped Before June 15th
The mandatory two-week quarantine period for travellers entering the country could be removed at the end of the month, RÚV reports. Under the current proposal, travellers arriving at Keflavik Airport from June 15th will have three options: be screened for COVID-19, present…
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Bars To Reopen And Gatherings Of 200 People To Be Permitted On May 25th
The chief epidemiologist, Þórólfur Guðnason, has released details of the changes to COVID-19 restrictions that he intends to bring in on May 25th. Gatherings of up to 200 people will be permitted and bars and nightclubs will re-open, Vísir reports. Fitness centres…
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Bar Owners Issue Urgent Plea To Allow Re-openings On May 25th
Pressure is mounting on officials to permit bars to reopen on May 25th. Several bar owners warn that financial realities may be force them to reopen on this date, with or without the government’s sanction, RÚV reports. A group of owners of…
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Travel Industry Celebrates Easing Travel Restrictions; Icelandair Negotiating With Attendants
It should come as no surprise that Iceland’s tourism industry was decidedly pleased with Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir’s announcement yesterday that travel restrictions to Iceland will be lifted no later than June 15th. However, much rests upon Icelandair, which is still in…
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BREAKING: Iceland To Open To Tourists Again On June 15th (With Conditions)
At a press conference held just moments ago, Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir announced some up-coming changes to the travel restrictions to Iceland. As it stands now, no one from outside the Schengen Area may visit Iceland, and those visiting from within the…
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When And How Will Iceland Change Its Travel Restrictions?
The question on everyone’s lips: when can I finally travel to Iceland? How long before I’m in sitting in a Reykjavík coffee house, nibbling on a chocolate-coated snúður and planning a trip to Snæfellsnes? Note: Since this article was published new information…
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Reykjavik Newscast #1: Iceland Still COVID-19 Free
Iceland has had four days now without COVID-19 and a 102 year old woman beat the virus in her home. Our chief epidemiologist, Þórólfur Guðnason, announced that the next phase of easing COVID-19 restrictions will begin on May 25th instead of the…
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Government Will Not Step In To Save Icelandair From Bankruptcy
The COVID-19 pandemic has plunged Icelandair into a severe financial crisis – 90% of staff have been laid off and the airline’s CEO claims bankruptcy is imminent. But Bjarni Benediktsson, the Minster for Finance and Economic Affairs has revealed in a Vísir…